Title: "The implementation of KMC at Groote Schuur Hospital: A nursing perspective."

E. Ryan

The concept of KMC was first introduced to GSH in 1995 by Dr. Nils Bergman.

The implementation of KMC at the neonatal unit at GSH was met with a few obstacles. The main problems associated with the implementation of KMC, was staff, patient and community-orientated.

The main reason for the problems were the fact that KMC was a relatively new concept in South Africa. Staff therefore had to be convinced that this was safe and that it did not involve extra work.

The main task of the medical and nursing staff who felt that KMC should be part of the care of Low Birthweight babies in the neonatal unit, was to find solutions to overcome these problems.

This involved, amongst others, the acquisition of teaching aids the inclusion of KMC in the curriculum of the neonatal nursing science course; seminars; educational talks; information pamphlets to pamphlets, formation of a work group and a KMC interest group.

Two pilot studies were also conducted in 1996 and 1998 respectively. The positive findings of these studies have played a major role in the acceptance of KMC as an integral part of the management of Low Birth Weight babies.