Effectiveness of the Assessment and Surveillance Guidelines for Newborn Breathlessness Using Early Warning Signs.

Abstract

      This study was an action research study. The objectives were to study the understanding of the use of Newborn Early Warning Signs (NEWS) and the Respiratory Distress Score (RD score) in newborns up to 1 month of age with respiratory problems and to examine the effectiveness of the Early Warning Signs assessment and monitoring approach for newborns. The study was conducted between July 2025 and October 2025 (a total of 3 months). The sample consisted of 22 medical personnel from the maternity and pediatric ward at Somdej Hospital and other relevant personnel. Data were collected from questionnaires and medical records. Data were analyzed using content analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and dependent t-test.

      The results of the study revealed that:

1. Comprehension of the use of Newborn Early Warning Sounds (NEWS) and the Respiratory Distress Score (RD score) in infants up to 1 month of age with respiratory problems. Before the intervention, the overall and individual levels were moderate, except for Color (SpO₂), Respiratory rate, and Feeding, which were high. After the intervention, the overall and individual levels were at the highest level.
2. Comprehension of the use of the Respiratory Distress Score (RD score) in infants up to 1 month of age with respiratory problems (first assessed at 10 minutes after birth, then assessed every 15 minutes until transfer to the ward). Before the intervention, the overall and individual levels were at the highest level. After the intervention, the overall and individual levels were at the highest level.
3. Comprehension of the use of Newborn Early Warning Signs (NEWS) by the Pediatrics Division of Somdej Hospital to assess clinical sepsis in newborns up to 1 month of age. Understanding of the use of the Respiratory Distress Score (RD score) in newborns up to 1 month of age with respiratory problems (first assessment at the 10th minute after birth, then every 15 minutes until transfer to the inpatient unit). A statistically significant difference was found at the .05 level, with post-implementation results better than pre-implementation results.
4. Results of the implementation of the guidelines for assessing and monitoring newborns for wheezing using Early Warning Signs revealed that 100.00% of newborns were able to assess and monitor wheezing using Early Warning Signs, and 23.26% were able to be included in the SNB.