Table 1

Participant characteristics

Australia (%)Poland (%)
Number of respondents3022
Gender of respondents
 Female23 (76.7)16 (72.7)
Qualifications
 Bachelors Degree8 (26.7)0
 Masters Degree12 (40)20 (90.9)
 PhD Degree1 (3.3)0
 Qualifications held by participants other than those specified in the survey9 (30)2 (9.1)
  Post-graduate Certificate/Diploma9 (30)0
  Clinical pharmacy specialisation02 (9.1)
Specialised qualifications
 Yes1 (3.3)0
 Postgraduate Certificate – (neonatal and paediatric-specific)1 (3.3)
 No29 (96.7)22 (100)
Position in the hospitaln = 29
 Neonatal pharmacist13 (44.8)0
 Director of pharmacy5 (17.2)8 (36.4)
 Pharmacist working in main hospital pharmacy3 (10.3)13 (59.1)
 Other8 (27.6)1 (4.5)
 Deputy Director1 (3.4)1 (4.5)
 Senior clinical pharmacist2 (6.9)
 Medicines information pharmacist2 (6.9)
 Specialist women, youth and children pharmacist2 (6.9)
 Aseptic CIVAS pharmacist1 (3.4)
Experience
 <1 year6 (20)2 (9.1)
 Between 1–5 years13 (43.3)12 (54.5)
 Between 6–10 years4 (13.3)1 (4.5)
 >10 years7 (23.3)7 (31.8)
Number of beds in NICU (range)8–1104–28
Definition of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
‘Neonatal unit that must be capable of assessing, diagnosing and managing all newborn infants requiring neonatal intensive care including infants:

  • requiring continuing assisted ventilation via an endotracheal tube, and for the 24 hours following endotracheal tube removal

  • requiring oxygen therapy (more than 60%) for more than 4 hours

  • with tracheostomies requiring intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

  • requiring a nasopharyngeal tube (without CPAP) to maintain airway patency

  • requiring an arterial line for continuing blood gas and/or blood pressure monitoring

  • having frequent seizures – undergoing major surgery, on the day of the procedure and for 48 hours postoperatively, including:

    • any procedure where a body cavity is opened

    • repair of neural tube defect

    • placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt or temporary ventricular drainage device

  • requiring 1:1 nursing care23