Life with my baby in a neonatal intensive care unit: Embracing the Family Integrated Care model

Abstract BackgroundThe premature birth of an infant coupled with admission to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can pose complex psychosocial challenges to parents and the family unit. Measures designed to counteract the effects of restricted visitation and prolonged separation from the infant within the NICU setting have led to the development of the Family Integrated Care model; emphasis in this program is placed on the active participation of the parent alongside the healthcare team in providing direct care to the preterm infant. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the perceptions and experiences of parents and families of preterm infants who have used a Family Integrated Care program during hospitalisation in a NICU. MethodsA systematic literature search will be performed on six electronic databases (Medline, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus) to identify relevant articles which meet the a priori inclusion criteria. A hand-search of the reference lists of all articles taken to full text review will supplement the search. The search will be limited to peer-reviewed, primary research articles written in English only; nil publication date restrictions will be applied. Two independent reviewers will screen all retrieved articles, perform the full-text review, critically appraise the included articles, and extract the data. Where consensus cannot be reached, a third reviewer will be consulted. To assess the quality of included studies and the risk of bias, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist will be used. Data will be extracted using a data extraction tool developed by the review team and piloted for use by two independent reviewers. A thematic analysis and narrative synthesis of the review findings will follow. DiscussionThis review will importantly describe the experiences of parents and families of preterm infants using a Family Integrated Care program delivered within a NICU; review findings will be used to inform the associated program protocols in a Perth (Western Australia) based NICU and be disseminated via a peer-reviewed publication. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, Submission ID: 243818.

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The Psychosocial Aspects of Feeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Beyond

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2019_persp-19-00097 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (6) ◽

pp. 1507-1515

Author(s):

Lauren L. Madhoun ◽

Robert Dempster

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Hospital Discharge ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Oral Feeding ◽

Medical Attention ◽

Primary Role ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

The Family

Purpose Feeding challenges are common for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). While sufficient oral feeding is typically a goal during NICU admission, this can be a long and complicated process for both the infant and the family. Many of the stressors related to feeding persist long after hospital discharge, which results in the parents taking the primary role of navigating the infant's course to ensure continued feeding success. This is in addition to dealing with the psychological impact of having a child requiring increased medical attention and the need to continue to fulfill the demands at home. In this clinical focus article, we examine 3 main areas that impact psychosocial stress among parents with infants in the NICU and following discharge: parenting, feeding, and supports. Implications for speech-language pathologists working with these infants and their families are discussed. A case example is also included to describe the treatment course of an infant and her parents in the NICU and after graduation to demonstrate these points further. Conclusion Speech-language pathologists working with infants in the NICU and following hospital discharge must realize the family context and psychosocial considerations that impact feeding progression. Understanding these factors may improve parental engagement to more effectively tailor treatment approaches to meet the needs of the child and family.

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The Use of Orem's Self‐Care Model in the Neonatal Intensive‐Care Unit

Journal of Obstetric Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing ◽

10.1111/j.1552-6909.1990.tb01672.x ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 496-500

Author(s):

Milagros B. Tolentino

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Self Care ◽

Care Model

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Visits by the family to the neonatal intensive care unit

Acta Paediatrica ◽

10.1111/j.1651-2227.2007.00053.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 96 (2) ◽

pp. 215-220 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

R Latva ◽

L Lehtonen ◽

R K Salmelin ◽

T Tamminen

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

The Family

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INFORMED CONSENT

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.70.4.556 ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 70 (4) ◽

pp. 556-556

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Decision Making ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Informed Consent ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Newborn Baby ◽

Maximum Extent ◽

The Family ◽

Do So

Let us address ourselves to the problem of informed consent. I believe, as a physician who has had prior contact with the family, that I can persuade 99% of parents to my way of thinking if I really work at it, even if I am 100% wrong. If I tell them in such a way that I appear concerned and that I am knowledgeable and that I have their interests at heart and the interest of their foetus or their newborn baby, there is no question they will be totally agreeable to my suggestion. I think informed consent is an absolute farce, legalistically, morally and ethically. The information is what I want it to be. Certainly, the physician must try to involve the parents in decision making. He should do so to the maximum extent feasible, but we are fooling ourselves if we believe that the parent or the physician can make all the decisions.—Director of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

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