EARLY NURSE INTERVENTION BY NURSING PROFESSIONALS IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE: THE SACRED HOUR

Abstract

Objective: To analyze nurses’ attitudes toward implementing interventions in critical neonatal areas during the sacred hour, ensuring early attachment and preserving the emotional bond. Materials and Methods: Qualitative study with a phenomenological design and descriptive scope. Twelve nurses from neonatal intensive care units of hospitals in Guayaquil, Ecuador were interviewed using non-probability snowball sampling and information saturation. A semi-structured guide validated in a pilot test was used. The
data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method to identify key themes. Results: Four categories emerged: 1. Interventions implemented during the sacred hour to preserve the mother-child bond; 2. Nursing actions developed to provide humanized care during the sacred hour in maternal and neonatal health; 3. Limitations in family-centered neonatal care during the sacred hour, and 4. Family attitude toward the emotional detachment from early contact and the loss of the sacred hour. Conclusion: The first hour of life is crucial for the mother-father-child bond, promoting the adaptation of the newborn and maternal
recovery. The ESAMyN (Mother and Child Friendly Establishments) strategy and continuing nursing training are essential, but limitations such as a lack of resources and staff affect the quality of care. Therefore,
developing inclusive strategies in intensive care is vital to maintaining the family bond.