Team-Led Empowerment: A Toolkit Enhancing NOWS Care.

Background: Individual states are becoming proactive in addressing the gaps in knowledge about newborns experiencing opioid withdrawal syndrome (ie, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [NOWS]) through interdisciplinary efforts, perinatal learning collaboratives, and quality improvement initiatives.

Methods: Descriptive statistics and a repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. The 5-step project implemented a team-led, evidence-based, nursing intervention toolkit. This project was completed in a Midwest, nonprofit, level III neonatal intensive care hospital serving a high-minority, low-income demographic. The participants included 38 registered nurses.

Intervention: A team-led initiative that developed a specialized toolkit aligned with the Indiana Perinatal Substance Use Practice Bundle. A pre-and posttraining assessment survey called "The Assessment of Nursing Knowledge and Self-Efficacy Related to NOWS" was developed to determine baseline knowledge and an increase in self-efficacy and knowledge. An educational curriculum intervention for onboarding new hires and completion of annual competencies was introduced.

Results: Posttraining, knowledge increased, and self-efficacy scores improved by 0.85 points. The curriculum change integrated the toolkit into consistent onboarding and annual competencies.

Conclusion: This comprehensive approach empowers nurses by equipping them with the skills and confidence necessary to provide quality care resulting in improved neonatal outcomes. Adopting a team-driven intervention for onboarding and annual competencies reinforce a dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in standards of care for newborns and their families.