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Moral distress in the neonatal intensive care unit: an Italian study

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 214–217 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency, the intensity and the level of moral distress experienced by nurses working in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Study Design:

We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey involving 472 nurses working in 15 level III NICUs. Frequency, intensity and level of moral distress was evaluated using a modified version of Moral Distress Scale Neonatal–Pediatric Version. Socio-demographic data were also collected.

Result:

Four hundred six nurses completed the study material indicating a low-to-moderate experience of moral distress. The situations receiving the highest scores for frequency, intensity and level of moral distress related to the initiation of extensive life-saving actions and participation to the care of ventilator-dependent child. No difference in the mean scores of moral distress was found according to the socio-demographic characteristics investigated.

Conclusion:

The present study provides further insight into the moral distress experienced by nurses working in Italian NICUs.

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge Professor Mary C Corley and Professor Amric for their encouragement and advice in the conduct of this study. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or no-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, S.I.T.R.A. Basic Education Sector, Milan, Italy

    P Sannino & L G Re

  2. Department of Clinical Science and Community Health, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Neonatal Intesive Care Unit, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    M L Giannì

  3. Courses Session Department of Biomedical Science for Health, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Ca Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    M Lusignani

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  1. P Sannino
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  2. M L Giannì
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Correspondence to P Sannino.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Sannino, P., Giannì, M., Re, L. et al. Moral distress in the neonatal intensive care unit: an Italian study. J Perinatol 35, 214–217 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.182

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