Brief Bio

Debra Brandon, Associate Professor and Director of the PhD in Nursing Program, joined the faculty of the Duke University School of Nursing in 1999. She has practiced as a Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Intensive Care Nursery of Duke University Medical Center since 1994. She has extensive clinical experience in neonatology, pediatrics, and child development. She received her BSN and MSN from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and earned her PhD in Nursing at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2000.

Before joining the Duke faculty, Dr. Brandon was a pediatric clinical nurse specialist at the Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown, NY, and a developmental clinical nurse specialist at the Center for Development and Learning in Chapel Hill, NC. She was also on the faculty in the nursing and medical schools of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Brandon is an active member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and the International Society for Infant Studies ISIS). Her research interests include the effects of the intensive care environment on the growth and development of pre-term infants.

Academic Program Affiliations

Education

Professional Certifications

Research Interests

Dr. Brandon’s research focuses on the health and development of high-risk infants and young children with an overall goal of improving the short- and long-term outcomes of high-risk preterm infants and their families. Dr. Brandon has conducted two longitudinal studies with preterm infants (F-31 NR07180; R01 NR008044), which compared the effects of day-night cycling of light to continuous near darkness in preterm infants using a randomized longitudinal design. These studies have evaluated the effects of early and late cycled light on short- and long-term health and developmental outcomes including sleep-wake state development, weight gain, lung maturation, length of hospitalization, auditory and visual development, and neurodevelopmental outcomes (NR008044).

Dr. Brandon was also co-investigator on an RO1 evaluating the relationship between preterm infant sleep and their long-term outcomes (R29 NR01894, D. Holditch-Davis, PI). These studies have led to her expertise in infant sleep and the development of a new instrumented measure of sleep-wake assessment. Most recently Dr. Brandon completed two pilot studies evaluating palliative and end-of-life care for infants and children with life-threatening conditions, and is now engaged in research examining decision-making for infants with complex life-threatening conditions (R01 1R01NR010548-01A1, S. Docherty, PI, Brandon Co-PI). These decisions include whether to initiate treatment, how to alter the treatment to respond to a medical crisis, whether to shift from aggressive curative care to symptom-focused palliative care, and whether to withdraw treatment.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Brandon practices two days per week as a Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist in the Intensive Care Nursery at Duke University Medical Center.

Awards and Honors

• 2011 Junior Researcher Mentee, Senior and Junior Researcher Dyad Program, National Institute of Nursing Research / Summit, the Science of Compassion: Future Directions in End-of-Life and Palliative Care

• 2009 Fellow, American Academy of Nursing

• 2008 Donna Wong Pediatric Nursing Writing Award, Pediatric Nursing

• 2007 Abstract Award, National Association of Neonatal Nurses

• 2002 Nurse Research Mentor Award, Duke University Hospital

• 2001 Research Dissertation Award, Sigma Theta Tau International, Region 7

• 1980 Inducted, Sigma Theta Tau (Alpha Alpha Chapter)

Areas of Expertise

• Neonatal Nursing
• Palliative Care
• Quality of Care / Patient Safety

Areas of Interest

• Environmental effects on health and development of preterm infants (cycled light, noise),
• Infant sleep
• Neonatal/pediatric palliative care
• Decision making for infants and children with life-threatening conditions
• Maternal distress with high risk infants
• Neonatal care practices: Effectiveness of skin care interventions

Representative Publications

• 2012 -- Pubmed # 22512806 Tan, J. S., Docherty, S. L., Barfield, R., Brandon, D. H. Addressing parental bereavement support needs at the end of life for infants with complex chronic conditions. J Palliat Med. May, 2012; 15(5); 579-84

• 2012 -- Waldrop, J., Anderson, C.K., Brandon, D. H. Guideline-based educational intervention to decrease the risk for readmission of newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 2012;

• 2012 -- Docherty, S.L., Barfield, R., Thaxton, C., Brandon, D. Quality of life for children living with chronic or complex diseases (Chapter 18) In Wong’s Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, edited by Hockenberry, M. 2012, in press; St. Louis: Mosby.

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 22092914 Brandon, D. H., Tully, K. P., Silva, S. G., Malcolm, W. F., Murtha, A. P., Turner, B. S., Holditch-Davis, D. Emotional responses of mothers of late-preterm and term infants. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. November, 2011; 40(6); 719-31

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21927583 Allen, K. A., Brandon, D. H. Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy: Pathophysiology and Experimental Treatments. Newborn Infant Nurs Rev. September, 2011; 11(3); 125-133 PMCID: PMC3171747

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21909236 Elser, H. E., Holditch-Davis, D., Brandon, D. H. Cerebral Oxygenation Monitoring: A Strategy to Detect IVH and PVL. Newborn Infant Nurs Rev. September, 2011; 11(3); 153-159 PMCID: PMC3168549

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21960127 Tillman, S., Brandon, D. H., Silva, S. G. Evaluation of human milk fortification from the time of the first feeding: effects on infants of less than 31 weeks gestational age. J Perinatol. September, 2011;

• 2011 -- Pubmed # 21605319 Kelley, T. F., Brandon, D. H., Docherty, S. L. Electronic nursing documentation as a strategy to improve quality of patient care. J Nurs Scholarsh. June, 2011; 43(2); 154-62

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 19890343 Brandon, D. H., Coe, K., Hudson-Barr, D., Oliver, T., Landerman, L. R. Effectiveness of No-Sting skin protectant and Aquaphor on water loss and skin integrity in premature infants. J Perinatol. June, 2010; 30(6); 414-9

• 2010 -- Catlin, A., Brandon, D. H. Palliative care for newborns and infants. NANN Position Statement 3051. June 20, 2010;

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 20379916 Barfield, R. C., Brandon, D., Thompson, J., Harris, N., Schmidt, M., Docherty, S. Mind the child: using interactive technology to improve child involvement in decision making about life-limiting illness. Am J Bioeth. April, 2010; 10(4); 28-30

• 2010 -- Pubmed # 19915420 Buffum, A. R., Brandon, D. H. Mentoring new nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit: impact on satisfaction and retention. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. February, 2010; 23(4); 357-62

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 19865004 Cox, C. E., Docherty, S. L., Brandon, D. H., Whaley, C., Attix, D. K., Clay, A. S., Dore, D. V., Hough, C. L., White, D. B., Tulsky, J. A. Surviving critical illness: acute respiratory distress syndrome as experienced by patients and their caregivers. Crit Care Med. October, 2009; 37(10); 2702-8 PMCID: PMC2771584

• 2009 -- Pubmed # 18997575 Smith, K. J., Brandon, D. The hospital-based adoption process: a primer for perinatal nurses. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. February, 2009; 33(6); 382-8

• 2008 -- Pubmed # 18818542 Brandon, D. H., Ryan, D. J., Barnes, A. H. Effect of environmental changes on noise in the NICU. Adv Neonatal Care. October, 2008; 8(5 Suppl); S5-10

• 2008 -- Harbaugh, K. E., Brandon, D. H. Family-centered care: An essential component of neonatal care. Early Childhood Services. March, 2008; 2(1); 33-42

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17907734 Docherty, S. L., Miles, M. S., Brandon, D. Searching for "the dying point:" providers' experiences with palliative care in pediatric acute care. Pediatr Nurs. November, 2007; 33(4); 335-41

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 18069428 Harrell, S. N., Brandon, D. H. Retinopathy of prematurity: the disease process, classifications, screening, treatment, and outcomes. Neonatal Netw. Nov-Dec., 2007; 26(6); 371-8

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17803413 Brandon, D., Docherty, S. L., Thorpe, J. Infant and child deaths in acute care settings: implications for palliative care. J Palliat Med. August, 2007; 10(4); 910-8

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17710954 Brandon, D. H., Ryan, D. J., Barnes, A. H. Effect of environmental changes on noise in the NICU. Neonatal Netw. Jul.-Aug., 2007; 26(4); 213-8

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17844777 Woods, A. G., Brandon, D. H. Prune belly syndrome. A focused physical assessment. Adv Neonatal Care. June, 2007; 7(3); 132-43; quiz 144-5

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17489937 Long, M., Brandon, D. H. Induced hypothermia for neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. May-Jun., 2007; 36(3); 293-8

• 2007 -- Pubmed # 17536329 Snow, T. M., Brandon, D. H. A nurse's guide to common mechanical ventilation techniques and modes used in infants. Nursing implications. Adv Neonatal Care. February, 2007; 7(1); 8-21

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16750804 Alton, M., Frush, K., Brandon, D., Mericle, J. Development and implementation of a pediatric patient safety program. Adv Neonatal Care. June, 2006; 6(3); 104-11

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16750805 Alton, M., Mericle, J., Brandon, D. One intensive care nursery's experience with enhancing patient safety. Adv Neonatal Care. June, 2006; 6(3); 112-9

• 2006 -- Brandon, D. H. Guest editorial: Sharing our stories Advances in Neonatal Care. June, 2006; 6(3); 98-100

• 2006 -- Pubmed # 16292137 Turner, B. S., Bradshaw, W., Brandon, D. Neonatal lung remodeling: structural, inflammatory, and ventilator-induced injury. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. February, 2006; 19(4); 362-76; quiz 377-8

• 2005 -- Brandon, D. H., Holditch-Davis, D. Validation of an instrumented sleep-wake assessment against a biobehavioral assessment. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews. September, 2005; 5(3); 109-115

• 2005 -- Brandon, D. H., Holditch-Davis, D., Winchester, D. M. Factors affecting early neurobehavioral and sleep outcomes in preterm infants. Infant Behavior and Development. June, 2005; 28(2); 206-219

• 2005 -- Brandon, D. H. Cycled Lighting in the NICU. E-Neo Reviews. June, 2005; 2(9);

• 2004 -- Turner, B. S., Brandon, D. H., Cornwell, M. K. Continuous versus bolus gavage feeding in premature Infants: The evidence (Chapter Reviews: Review 22-6). In Evidence Based Practice in Nursing & Health: A guide for translating research evidence into practice, edited by Melnyk, B. M. and Fineout-Overholt, E. June, 2004; Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

• 2003 -- Pubmed # 14501545 Holditch-Davis, D., Brandon, D. H., Schwartz, T. Development of behaviors in preterm infants: relation to sleeping and waking. Nurs Res. Sep.-Oct., 2003; 52(5); 307-17

• 2002 -- Pubmed # 11865270 Brandon, D. H., Holditch-Davis, D., Belyea, M. Preterm infants born at less than 31 weeks' gestation have improved growth in cycled light compared with continuous near darkness. J Pediatr. February, 2002; 140(2); 192-9

• 1999 -- Pubmed # 10344702 Brandon, D. H., Holditch-Davis, D., Belyea, M. Nursing care and the development of sleeping and waking behaviors in preterm infants. Res Nurs Health. June, 1999; 22(3); 217-29

• 1999 -- Brandon, D. H. Special section: neonatal nursing... Commentary on Blackburn S (1998: Environmental impact of the NICU on developmental outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 13 (5), 279-289. Journal of Child & Family Nursing. May-Jun, 1999; 2(3); 172

• 1997 -- Pubmed # 9087083 Frauman, A. C., Brandon, D. H. Toilet training for the child with chronic illness. Pediatr Nurs. Nov.-Dec., 1997; 22(6); 469-72

• 1995 -- Pubmed # 8697377 Miner, D. C., Gibbons, B., Jeffres, C., Brandon, D. Self-in-relation theory and the role of the clinical nurse specialist. Part II: Application to advanced nursing roles in a professional practice model. Clin Nurse Spec. November, 1995; 9(6); 322-325

• 1993 -- Pubmed # 10171473 Huber, C., Holditch-Davis, D., Brandon, D. High-risk preterm infants at 3 years of age: parental response to the presence of developmental problems. Child Health Care. Spring, 1993; 22(2); 107-24

• 1989 -- Brandon, D. H. The Toll Control System University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Center for Development and Learning, Chapel Hill, NC. 1989;

• 1987 -- Pubmed # 3104801 Brandon, D. H., Huber, C. J. Evaluating cost-effectiveness of preevaluation client contacts. Nurs Econ. May, 1987; 5(2); 65-9, 76

Grant Funding (selected)

• Decision-Making for Infants with Complex Life-Threatening Conditions  
  NIH-NINR
  1R01 NR010548-01A1
  10/2008-09/2013
  Role: Co-PI
  Project Goal: This longitudinal multiple case study will examine the trajectory of decision-making for infants undergoing life-sustaining treatments for complex life-threatening conditions and factors influencing parent’s decision-making.

• Administrative Supplement to Decision Making for Infants with Complex Life Threatening Conditions  
  NIH-NINR
  3R01 NR010548-02S1
  09/2010-08/2011
  Role: Co-PI
  Project Goals: This administrative supplement is to develop a flexible data exploratory visualization software program that will allow for the graphic display of multiple layers and varying configurations of different levels of data from a currently funded R01 study.

• Nurses' Information Exchange for the Provision of Care to Hospitalized Children  
  Sigma Theta Tau International
  05/2011-04/2012
  Role: co-PI
  

• Preterm Infants: Light Effects on Health and Development  
  National Institutes of Health
  5R01-NR08044-01A1
  02/2003-01/2009
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: To evaluate the appropriate time for instituting cycled light for the youngest preterm infants (< 28 weeks gestation at birth) and the effects of early (28 weeks) and late (36 weeks) cycled light on short- and long-term health and developmental outcomes including sleep-wake state development, weight gain, lung maturation, length of hospitalization (LOS), auditory and visual development, and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

• AWHONN: Late Preterm Evidence Based Practice Project  
  Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
  01/2009-12/2010
  Role: Duke Site PI
  Project Goal: This study will evaluate the outcomes of the implementation of an evidenced based practice protocol for the late preterm infant (born between 34 and 36 completed weeks of gestation). * Notice of the grant approval has been received, but the project period and total costs are not yet known.

• The Compass Project: Bridging Medicine, Design, and Ethics to Enable Advance Care Planning and Meaningful Assent in Pediatric Phase I Trials  
  Greenwall Foundation: The Kornfield Program in Bioethics
  COG ANUR0631
  12/2008-11/2010
  Role: Co-Investigator
  Project Goal: This study will design and pilot test an instrument that can be used by children with life-threatening illnesses to express their ideas, goals, priorities, and desires, related to quality of life planning, in the context of Phase I trials.

• Pilot Study of Decision-making For Infants with Complex Life-Threatening Conditions  
  Duke University School of Nursing Office of Research Affiars; DUSON Personal Discretionary Fund
  09/2007-09/2008
  Role: Co-PI
  Project Goal: This longitudinal multiple case study will examine feasibility of study procedures and refine study methods for a larger study of the trajectory of decision-making for infants undergoing life-sustaining treatments for complex life-threatening conditions and factors influencing parent’s decision-making.

• Characteristics of Infants and Children Who Die in the Inpatient Settings  
  Duke School of Nursing Personal Discretionary Fund
  09/2004-09/2005
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: The purpose of this pilot study is to define the population of infants and children who die in acute care hospitals.

• Pediatric Health Care Provider Attitudes Regarding Palliative Care in the Acute Care Setting  
  Duke School of Nursing Personal Discretionary Fund
  09/2004-09/2005
  Role: Co-PI
  Project Goal: The purpose of this study is to describe the experiences of physicians, nurses, and social workers in providing palliative care to infants, children, and adolescents who have undergone intensive therapies for life threatening illnesses. The study will identify aids and barriers to the provision of palliative care in the pediatric acute care setting.

• Maternal Adjustment to Caregiving for Premature Infants  
  Duke School of Nursing Personal Discretionary Fund
  07/2004-01/2009
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: The overall purpose of this study is to explore the effects of a preterm infant intervention currently under study (“Preterm Infants: Light Effects on Health and Development” (5R01NR008044-02) IRB # 4211-03-11R1) on maternal adjustment to the hospitalization and post discharge caregiving of a preterm infant.

• The Effects of No-Sting® Skin Protectant and Aquaphor® in Maturation of Preterm Infant Skin  
  Departmental (Duke SON; Neonatal Perinatal Research Institute)
  09/2003-05/2005
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: The purpose of the proposed study is to evaluate the effects of No-Sting® skin protectant and Aquaphor®, a water-based emollient, on transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin integrity in premature infants.

• Effects on Cycled Light Versus Near Dark in Preterm Infants; Follow Up at 2 Years  
  Neonatal-Perinatal Research Institute
  01/2001-12/2004
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: Evaluate long-term effects of cycled light on growth and development. F/U from dissertation

• Three Year Study on Cycled Light Versus Continuous Darkness in Neonates  
  NIH/NINR, NRSA
  F-31 NINR-NIH # NR07180
  01/1996-01/1999
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: Evaluate the timing and short term effects of cycled light on preterm infants

• Combined NNP/PNP Program for Rural Health  
  HRSA
  D09-HP00189-01
  07/2001-06/2004
  Role: Investigator
  Project Goal: Three year grant to educate nurses at the Master’s level in NNP/PNP in Rural Health.

• One Year Study on the Efficacy of Heparin Use in Peripheral Intravenous Catheters  
  Glaxo Research Fund
  07/1994-06/1995
  Role: PI
  Project Goal: Determine the necessity for heparin in peripheral intravenous catheters of preterm infants

• Study on the Toll Control Project: A Service System and Training Model for the Developmental Surveillance and Care of Preschool Children with Chronic Illness  
  Administration on Developmental Disabilities
  01/1988-12/1990
  Role: Co-PI
  Project Goal: Develop and evaluate a method to evaluate children with chronic illness.

• Two Year Study on Sleep-Wake State in Preterms: Relation to Outcome at Three Years  
  NIH, NINR
  NR01894
  01/1987-06/1989
  Role: Co-PI
  Project Goal: Evaluate long term outcomes of preterm infants in relation to the development of sleep as preterm infants.

• Enhancing Support for Families of Developmentally Disabled Persons  
  Administration on Developmental Disbilities
  07/1987-06/1988
  Role: Co-PI
  Project Goal: Evaluate the effectiveness of support programs for families of DD persons.

• Two Year Study on The Long-Term Outcomes of Very Low Birth Weight Infants  
  Maternal Child Health, NICHD, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  07/1987-06/1989
  Role: UNC Project Coordinator
  Project Goal: Evaluate long-term outcomes of low birth weight infants