Design, implementation, and evaluation of electronic thermoregulation decision support system in neonates

Background and Objective: Thermoregulation in neonates is considered an important event to adapt to extrauterine life. Providing continuous training to the neonate's nurses and using systems that provide frequent reminders in different ways in the field of thermoregulation can help thermal stability in neonates. The present action study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate an electronic CDSS for neonatal thermoregulation.

Methods: The present research was a multi-method study because it included the three phases of designing, implementing, and evaluating the neonatal thermoregulation decision support system. In the system designing phase, the waterfall model is used. The second and third phases of the study, implementation, and evaluation, were conducted as a quasi-experimental study.

Results: The results of this study were presented in two parts: the developed web application, and the results of the evaluation of the web application. The results of the statistical tests revealed that the use of the web application had a positive and significant effect on both the adjustment of the temperature of the incubator (maintaining the neutral temperature) and the maintenance of the temperature of the neonate's body (p=0.000).

Conclusion: These results indicate that a nurse's sensitization and guidance with a neonatal thermoregulation decision support system can help to effectively neonate thermoregulation and the nurse has brought the temperature care close to the standard care based on the conditions of each neonate.

Keywords: Thermoregulation, Neonates, Decision Support System, Electronic temperature recording