Transitioning the Premature Infant from Nonsupine to Supine Position Prior to Hospital Discharge

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document the clinical practice of transitioning the hospitalized premature infant to the supine position and determine if hospital policy influenced practice.

Design: This study was a retrospective medical chart review.

Sample: The charts were reviewed from two urban hospitals that had Level III NICUs in upstate New York.

Main Outcome Variable: The outcome variable was to determine clinical practice of transitioning premature infants to the supine position.

Results: The percentage of premature infants who were transitioned to the supine position at least 24 hours prior to hospital discharge varied, but the postmenstrual age at transition did not vary. The hospital with a policy transitioned premature infants to the supine position one week prior to discharge as compared with two days in the hospital without a policy. Despite national recommendations, no infants were transitioned into the supine position by 32 weeks postmenstrual age.