Objective To apply the best evidence of position assessment and management for premature infants during hospitalization to clinical practice and evaluate its application effect.

Methods Using the evidence-based nursing method, we systematically searched, evaluated, and summarized the evidence related to position assessment and management for premature infants during hospitalization. Guided by the knowledge translation model, evidence implementation strategies for position assessment and management for premature infants during hospitalization was formulated. Thirty premature infants before evidence application from July 1 to 30, 2024, were included in control group, and 30 premature infants after evidence application from October 20 to November 20, 2024, were included in experimental group. The infant position assessment tool (IPAT) score, nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice levels regarding position management for premature infants (three dimensions: knowledge, attitude, and behavior), and the implementation rate of audit items were compared before and after evidence application.

Results After evidence application, the IPAT score of premature infants was (9.87±0.90) points, indicating an acceptable position, which was higher than the (7.93±1.34) points before evidence application, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After evidence application, the nurses' knowledge, attitude, and behavior score regarding position management for premature infants was 145 (135, 158) points, which was higher than the 143 (126, 156) points before evidence application, but the difference was not statistically significant (Z=-1.752, P=0.08). After evidence application, the implementation rates of indicators 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 17 all increased. After Bonferroni correction (α'=0.005), except for audit indicator 13, where the difference was not statistically significant, the differences in the other audit indicators were all statistically significant (P < 0.005).

Conclusion Implementing evidence-based nursing practice for position assessment and management for premature infants during hospitalization and constructing a localized obstacle countermeasure system are helpful for improving the IPAT score of hospitalized premature infants and nurses' knowledge, attitude, and behavior levels regarding position management for premature infants, standardizing theposition assessment and management of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, and improving patient outcomes.