Observations and recommendations regarding the neonatal nursing at the Neonatal Intensive Care Units of Rafidia Hospital and the Palestine Medical Complex

A variety of educational lectures and presentations were provided for staff. Direct clinical supervision and bedside education was provided regarding critically ill children and neonates. Assistance was also given concerning USAID donated medical equipment for direct patient application. Overall, the nurses were found to be very hard working and eager to learn. Improving staffing levels to a more reasonable nurse:patient ratio for the NICU will help to improve patient care and the functionality of the intensive care unit. Training and follow-up is the one most important component that would energize and give them confidence in their abilities. Trained nurses are able to assess quicker, move faster, and have improved confidence. Nurses that are trained in their field of specialty are more clinically competent, deliver better quality of patient care, and communicate better within a multidisciplinary team context. In the West Bank, a specially trained NICU nurse a relatively new concept that still needs to be defined, but is important to the success of increasing the level of care for the intensive care unit. (Author abstract, modified)