Capstone Project
Name
Course
Instructor
July, 2025
, Abstract
This capstone discusses the implementation of an evidence-based intervention to substitute
newborn bathing in the nursery with in-room bathing that actively involves parents. The program
is set within family-centered principles and grounded in clinical evidence that delayed bathing
aids in thermal regulation, exclusive breastfeeding, and parent-infant attachment. The
intervention consists of simulation-based staff training, culturally adapted parent education, and
pilot testing with portable ergonomic equipment. The most sustainable approach to achieving a
balance of safety, efficiency, and engagement was found through a nurse–patient care technician
hybrid model. Parental involvement rates, infant thermal stability, initiation of breastfeeding, and
adherence to staff protocol were used in evaluation. Early outcomes included increased family
satisfaction, initiation of breastfeeding, and clinical safety measures. This project identifies the
nurse as the leader in driving organizational change, the advocate for interprofessional
collaboration, and the provider of equitable, high-quality postpartum care. The findings provide a
replicable model for hospitals seeking to promote family-centered practice and enhance newborn
outcomes.
, Introduction
Respect, partnership, and parental involvement in infant care are key practices of family-
centered care (FCC) in postpartum nursing. Differently from growing evidence favoring delayed
bathing of newborns and parent participation, the application of nursery-based bathing that
denies infants their mothers’ participation is still routine in hospitals. This practice difference
may do harm to infant thermoregulation, breastfeeding initiation, and parent attachment. To
address this, the capstone project in this proposal introduces an evidence-based practice: in-room
newborn bathing with staff training, culturally sensitive parent education, and ergonomic devices
such as TurtleTubs™. By directing practice consistent with national and international guidelines,
the project seeks to improve clinical outcomes, increase family engagement, and increase patient
satisfaction among a diverse postpartum population.
Part 1: Problem Statement
Need Statement
Family-centered care (FCC) is a widely endorsed model in modern postpartum nursing
that centers on dignity, respect, shared decision-making, and involvement of parents. A common
hospital practice, however, bathing new babies in the nursery, apart from their mothers, does not
support this model. There is evidence that delayed bathing for at least 24 hours and rooming-in
with parents improves patient bonding, breastfeeding success, newborn thermoregulation, and
patient satisfaction (Warren et al., 2020; Anderson, 2021). Despite these benefits, there has been
widespread persistence with nursery-based bathing due to workflow habits, lack of training, or
lack of access to ergonomic equipment.
This practice gap is an urgent health promotion and quality improvement opportunity.
The current standard neglects FCC recommendations and can result in maternal distress,
newborn temperature control problems, and reduced breastfeeding initiation. A deliberate shift
towards in-room newborn bathing with evidence-based technology—like TurtleTubs™—has the
potential to improve both the clinical status of infants and families' emotional experience.
Fulfilling this need will also align with organizational goals of improving patient experience
scores, boosting staff satisfaction, and potentially lower readmission rates for complications like
hypothermia or feeding difficulty (Chamberlain et al., 2019; Catapult Products, 2020).
Name
Course
Instructor
July, 2025
, Abstract
This capstone discusses the implementation of an evidence-based intervention to substitute
newborn bathing in the nursery with in-room bathing that actively involves parents. The program
is set within family-centered principles and grounded in clinical evidence that delayed bathing
aids in thermal regulation, exclusive breastfeeding, and parent-infant attachment. The
intervention consists of simulation-based staff training, culturally adapted parent education, and
pilot testing with portable ergonomic equipment. The most sustainable approach to achieving a
balance of safety, efficiency, and engagement was found through a nurse–patient care technician
hybrid model. Parental involvement rates, infant thermal stability, initiation of breastfeeding, and
adherence to staff protocol were used in evaluation. Early outcomes included increased family
satisfaction, initiation of breastfeeding, and clinical safety measures. This project identifies the
nurse as the leader in driving organizational change, the advocate for interprofessional
collaboration, and the provider of equitable, high-quality postpartum care. The findings provide a
replicable model for hospitals seeking to promote family-centered practice and enhance newborn
outcomes.
, Introduction
Respect, partnership, and parental involvement in infant care are key practices of family-
centered care (FCC) in postpartum nursing. Differently from growing evidence favoring delayed
bathing of newborns and parent participation, the application of nursery-based bathing that
denies infants their mothers’ participation is still routine in hospitals. This practice difference
may do harm to infant thermoregulation, breastfeeding initiation, and parent attachment. To
address this, the capstone project in this proposal introduces an evidence-based practice: in-room
newborn bathing with staff training, culturally sensitive parent education, and ergonomic devices
such as TurtleTubs™. By directing practice consistent with national and international guidelines,
the project seeks to improve clinical outcomes, increase family engagement, and increase patient
satisfaction among a diverse postpartum population.
Part 1: Problem Statement
Need Statement
Family-centered care (FCC) is a widely endorsed model in modern postpartum nursing
that centers on dignity, respect, shared decision-making, and involvement of parents. A common
hospital practice, however, bathing new babies in the nursery, apart from their mothers, does not
support this model. There is evidence that delayed bathing for at least 24 hours and rooming-in
with parents improves patient bonding, breastfeeding success, newborn thermoregulation, and
patient satisfaction (Warren et al., 2020; Anderson, 2021). Despite these benefits, there has been
widespread persistence with nursery-based bathing due to workflow habits, lack of training, or
lack of access to ergonomic equipment.
This practice gap is an urgent health promotion and quality improvement opportunity.
The current standard neglects FCC recommendations and can result in maternal distress,
newborn temperature control problems, and reduced breastfeeding initiation. A deliberate shift
towards in-room newborn bathing with evidence-based technology—like TurtleTubs™—has the
potential to improve both the clinical status of infants and families' emotional experience.
Fulfilling this need will also align with organizational goals of improving patient experience
scores, boosting staff satisfaction, and potentially lower readmission rates for complications like
hypothermia or feeding difficulty (Chamberlain et al., 2019; Catapult Products, 2020).
