Development of a clinical pathway for near-term and convalescing premature infants in a Level II nursery.

A subcategory of premature infants, those born near term at 34 to 36 and 6/7 weeks gestation, may represent a previously unrecognized at-risk neonatal population. Evidence-based practice guidelines, crafted specifically for this population, are needed to effectively manage their care. In an effort to meet the needs of the near-term infant (NTI) population, and concurrently address the needs of the convalescing premature infants reverse transported to a Level II nursery setting, a multidisciplinary team of clinicians designed tools to provide a more consistent approach to care for and discharge these infants.