If you work in the NICU, you know that practice guidelines constantly change and adapt to align with new research findings. Research is essential to safe nursing care, and without strong unit-based evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) projects, it’s difficult to ensure our tiny patients are receiving the most appropriate therapies and interventions!
If you’re planning your next NICU research project, paper, or nursing school capstone project, it can be tough to come up with fresh and creative ideas. Here, I’ll review some of my favorite hot research topics to get you started!
NICU Research Project Ideas
What Factors Increase the Risk of NEC?
How should we standardize assessments and treatments?
What causes colonic pneumatosis?
Which antibiotics should be used to optimize outcomes?
How and when should we restart infant feedings after NEC diagnosis?
How can we reduce the risks of a child with congenital heart disease (CHD) being diagnosed with NEC?
What are some ways to optimize parenteral nutrition?
Which imaging techniques should be used to confirm NEC diagnosis?
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How Should We Standardize Small Baby Care?
Which infant positioning strategies are best for developmental growth?
When and how should oral feedings be initiated?
How often should infant weights be measured?
What humidity settings are best for ELBW infants?
How should we standardize intubations/extubations?
When should infants be weaned from isolette to crib?
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Are Probiotics Beneficial to Newborn Infant Gut Development?
Do probiotics prevent the development of NEC?
Which strains make the biggest impact on gut health?
Should probiotics be used as a preventative measure?
Are there any contraindications to probiotic use?
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How Can We Manage the Comorbidities of Prematurity?
How can we prevent sepsis in premature newborns?
Which early interventions are effective at preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia?
What medications can help limit the risk of retinopathy of prematurity?
What oral feeding strategies are effective at minimizing NEC complications?
Which delivery strategies work best to prevent intraventricular hemorrhage?
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What Is the Best Way To Effectively Treat a PDA?
Is acetaminophen or indomethacin the most effective way to medically treat a PDA?
Does early surgical intervention improve patient outcomes?
How should we standardize PDA assessment strategies?
Is there anything we can do to improve PDA outcomes prior to an infant’s birth?
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How Can We Improve NICU Skin-to-Skin Success?
At what gestational age is it safe to hold an infant?
How can we prevent accidental extubations during skin-to-skin?
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Which Pain Management Strategies are Best for Neonates?
Is it better to use pain medications of one class over the other (opiates, benzodiazepines, alpha II agonists, etc.)?
What is the best way to wean intravenous pain medication?
Which surgical considerations are important when planning pain management?
Is sucrose effective at preventing pain in newborns?
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What Is the Best Way to Optimize Hemodynamic Stability?
Which vasopressors or inotropes should be used to manage low blood pressure in premature infants?
How often should vasoactive medications be titrated?
What blood pressure parameters should be used to manage hemodynamic instability?
Is there a certain infant positioning that is best for optimizing blood pressure?
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How Can We Improve Lung Compliance and Development?
Which ventilator modes are most effective at managing certain diseases?
Which oxygen saturation goals are best for neurologic development?
When should surfactant be initiated?
How can we prevent negative side effects from the use of supplemental oxygen?
What is the best time to start corticosteroids?
How often should ABGs/VBGs be drawn to adjust respiratory care strategies?
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What Is the Best Way to Improve Access to Palliative Care?
How can we offer palliative care to mothers delivering an infant with a poor prognosis?
What is the best way to introduce palliative care to a hesitant family?
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What Are Some Ways to Assist New Mothers With Breastfeeding?
How can we improve privacy for mothers who want to pump in the NICU?
What strategies increase milk production?
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Hope this list helps you in your NICU Research! These are all very relevant in our NICU care with continued improvements in Evidence-Based Research! The more minds and research we can put to these topics the better. Feel free to drop your suggestions and comments below!
Tori Meskin MSN RNC-NIC. Nurse. Blogger. Podcaster. Tori has been a clinician since 2012, works in acute care/inpatient NICU & Pediatric settings in southern California. She is a blogger, NICU & Pediatric Critical Care RN, Capella University MSN graduate, and co-founder of NICUity LLC. She has obtained her National NICU Nurse Certification (RNC-NIC) & has worked as a travel nurse, pursuing bedside experiences in several NICU settings. Follow her as she shares her NICU journey, married & new mom life & juggles work, and content creation, & brings you top notch Tips & Tricks along the way. Find her at www.tipsfromtori.com or info@tipsfromtori.com