| Effective Term: | 2025/05 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Health and Wellbeing |
| Unit Title: | Care of the Neonate with Increased Needs |
| Unit ID: | MIDGD6204 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | (MIDGD6001 or MIDGD6201) |
| Co-requisite(s): | (MIDGD6203) |
| Exclusion(s): | Nil |
| ASCED: | 060303 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
This unit builds on previous knowledge of the well neonate. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of high-quality evidence-based neonatal care and build their skills in assessing, planning and managing the care of the neonate with complex health needs. Students will develop an understanding of multidisciplinary care and collaborative practice with consideration of family-centred and culturally safe care, and engages them to reflect and think critically to enhance, shape and improve clinical practice and neonatal outcomes. In addition, students will develop an understanding of the socio-cultural elements surrounding the care of the unwell newborn and their families. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| No work experience |
| Placement Component: | Yes - days |
| Supplementary Assessment:Yes |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | | | | | | | Intermediate | | | |  | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Describe the social-cultural context in the provision of safe and respectful care to babies and their families in Australia and globally, and with particular consideration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities; |
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| K2. | Describe the principles of neonatal resuscitation and stabilisation and emergency transfer of a compromised neonate to a tertiary setting; |
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| K3. | Identify circumstances and conditions where the neonate requires admission to the special care nursery including escalation of care |
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| K4. | Determine the aetiology and pathophysiology of complex neonatal conditions, including those related to unwell term infants and premature neonates |
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| K5. | Outline infant nutrition including supporting breastfeeding in special circumstances and the use of specialised equipment and formulas. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the neonate and provide appropriate care in a timely manner including prompt referral where required; |
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| S2. | Demonstrate knowledge and skills in neonatal resuscitation and stabilisation; |
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| S3. | Demonstrate knowledge and skills in caring for neonates with complex health needs; |
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| S4. | Employ reflective practice strategies to develop understanding of the care of babies and their families, and appreciate the roles and scope of the interdisciplinary team. |
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| S5. | Provide clear and consistent information and communicate effectively with families and colleagues |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Deliver planned safe, quality and evidence-based care to the neonate which integrates clinical reasoning, multidisciplinary teamwork and collaboration with families |
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| A2. | Evaluate the special care nursery environment to reduce stress and discomfort, ensuring the promotion of individualised family centred and developmentally supportive care which provides opportunities for early bonding/attachment and breastfeeding |
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| A3. | Demonstrate an appreciation of the family's need for privacy, dignity and respect, as well as their right to be informed and to make decisions regarding care of their baby; |
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| A4. | Demonstrate nursing competency based upon the NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice and the NMBA Registered Nurse Standards for Practice. |
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| Unit Content: |
The ANMAC National Accreditation Standards for the Midwife (draft 3 2020); NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice (2018); NMBA Code of Conduct for the Midwife (2018) and Code of Ethics for the Midwife (2014) have substantially informed the syllabus/content of this unit.
Adaptation to extra-uterine life
• Neonatal resuscitation
• Comprehensive assessment of the newborn
• Birth asphyxia
• Neonatal resuscitation
• Stabilisation and transfer
• Gestational age assessment
• Levels of care – Victorian Health Service Capability Framework
Care of the unwell neonate
• NSQHS Recognising and responding to acute deterioration standard
• Principles of nursing care of the unwell infant
• Hygiene, skin care and elimination
• Neonatal assessment and monitoring
• Respiratory disorders
• Jaundice
• NSQHS Preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections standard
• Infection
• Hypoglycaemia
• Preterm and small for gestational age babies
• Neurological disorders - Seizures and birth trauma
• Pain management
• Neonatal abstinence syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
• The twin and higher order multiple birth
• Common chromosomal abnormalities
• Developmental care
Nutrition
• Skills for promoting initiation and maintenance of lactation when the baby is unable to suckle
• Nutritional needs of the unwell baby
• Artificial feeding including specialist formulas and supplements
• Breast feeding challenges –
o Gavage feeding
o Premature neonate
o specialist equipment: feeding line, Habermann feeder
Pharmacology
• NSQHS Medication safety standard
• Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics
• Pharmacology: Drug and fluid calculations:
• Quality use of medicines in the neonate
• IV / UV cannulation
• IV therapy
Family centred care
• Family centred care
• Additional consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
• Enabling and empowering family participation in care of the neonate
• Discharge planning
• Ethico-legal issues
• Child protection and Family First |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S2, S3 | Theoretical concepts of care of the newborn | Online Activities | 20-40% | | 2. | K1, K3, K4, K5, S3, A2, A3 | Discussion of theoretical concepts related to care of the unwell newborn within a family centred care framework | Written Assessment | 20-40% | | 3. | K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, S2, A2 | Theoretical concepts, knowledge and skills required in caring for the unwell neonate including emergency/ escalation of care | Examination
Part A – Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) | 10-30% Hurdle requirement | | 4. | K1, K3, K5, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, A1, A2, A3, A4 | Satisfactory achievement of identified NMBA Midwife Standards for Practice in midwifery practice experiences.
(Compulsory PASS required) | Midwifery practice portfolio
1. Completion of five (5) Midwifery Clinical Assessment Tools (MCAT) to ‘assisted-proficient’ level. 2. Completion of 80 midwifery practice hours. Submit completed AMSAT. | 20% Hurdle requirement |
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