Introducing the i-Rainbow©: An Evidence-Based, Parent-Friendly Care Pathway Designed for Critically Ill Infants in the NICU Setting.

Purpose: This study investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel, evidence-based developmental care pathway to be used by health care providers and parents in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting. The i-Rainbow is based on current evidence and responds to individual infant health status. It is not based on infant age.

Risk Assessment and Early Mobilization Pathway Following Pediatric Tracheostomy: A Pilot Study.

Objectives/hypothesis: To confirm the standard of care pertaining to postoperative mobilization practices following initial tracheostomy, to establish face validity of novel early mobilization tools, and to conduct a safety and feasibility pilot study.

Study Design: Multi-institutional survey and prospective cohort study.

Methods: Experts at our tertiary-care children's hospital developed an Early Pediatric Mobility Pathway for tracheostomy patients utilizing a novel risk-assessment tool.

Effects of Instruction on Parent Competency During Infant Handling in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of 3 different methods for delivering instruction on infant handling to parents in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Methods: Ninety-six parents in the NICU received instruction. Parents were taught the same 3 infant-handling techniques after random assignment to the (1) direct, (2) video, or (3) written-pictorial instructional groups.

Physical therapy intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit.

This article presents the elements of the Intervention section of the Infant Care Path for Physical Therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The types of physical therapy interventions presented in this path are evidence-based and the suggested timing of these interventions is primarily based on practice knowledge from expert therapists, with supporting evidence cited. Physical therapy intervention in the NICU is infant-driven and focuses on providing family-centered care.

Physical therapy observation and assessment in the neonatal intensive care unit.

This article presents the elements of the Observation and Assessment section of the Infant Care Path for Physical Therapy in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The types of physical therapy assessments presented in this path are evidence-based and the suggested timing of these assessments is primarily based on practice knowledge from expert therapists, with supporting evidence cited. Assessment in the NICU begins with a thorough review of the health care record.

Consensus among experts in pediatric occupational and physical therapy on elements of individualized education programs.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish consensus among a sample of expert occupational therapy and physical therapy practitioners on characteristics necessary for individualized education program (IEP) objectives to be educationally relevant, measurable, and appropriate in content.

Methods: The Delphi technique was used to survey 38 board-certified clinical specialists from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Nine physical therapists and 29 occupational therapists agreed to participate.