Other content tagged: NICU
Non‐evidence‐based beliefs increase inequalities in the provision of infant‐ and family‐centred neonatal care
Many hospitals in the world still do not recognise the importance and benefits of family-centred care. This hinders parents to engage in potentially life-saving care procedures, like kangaroo mother care or breastfeeding. In a scientific study, Mendizabal-Espinosa and Warren identified obstacles regarding the implementation of family-centred care in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) of two publicly funded hospitals in Mexico. Data was gathered during a 10-month time period, by observing 29 parents (21 mothers…
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New international study on skin care practices in extremely preterm infants – participants requested
EFCNI is glad to support this survey from the University of Sydney that aims to investigate geographical variation in skin management practices in preterm infants born ≤ 27 weeks of gestation. The University of Sydney therefore requests nurses and doctors to participate in this global, ethically approved research study. This will provide a great opportunity for increasing knowledge and improving skin management practices for extremely preterm babies. To participate, a nurse or…
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The impact of COVID-19 on Parents and NICUs: An interview with Livia Nagy
The COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for NICUs and parents of premature or sick newborns. Due to the risk of Coronavirus getting into the NICU, some units restricted the time parents were allowed to spend with their babies. But other units showed an advanced approach by letting mothers stay with their babies 24/7. We interviewed Livia Nagy from the parent organisation "Melletted a helyem Egyesület" in Hungary on the impact of COVID-19 on NICUs and parents. …
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NeonaTEL: A call centre for parental support during the COVID-19 pandemic, established by the Romanian parent organisation Unu si Unu
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic parents are in need of special support. They have questions which should be answered on daily basis. EFCNIs partner parent organisation Unu si Unu established a call center to stay in touch with parents and parents-to-be and to help them to stay healthy and close to their children in the time of COVID-19. Corina Croitoru from Asociația Unu si Unu in Romania explained how the Call Center works and what is needed to set it up.…
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If parents were a drug
Parents have a huge impact on stress and pain and thus the wellbeing of their infants during neonatal intensive care. If this effect could be achieved with a drug that has no side-effects, this drug would undoubtedly be standard of care. This drug is not available, while parents usually are. Although neonatal care has made tremendous improvements during the last years, impaired long-term neurodevelopmental outcome is still a major issue in infants that need intensive care treatment. Doctor Atle Moen…
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15 minutes is NOT OK – Irish parent organisation campaigns against the restriction of parental access to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) have restricted or even abolished the time parents can spend in the NICU with their baby. EFCNIs partner parent organisation Irish Neonatal Health Alliance (INHA) recently launched the campaign “15 minutes is NOT OK” which raises awareness for an issue that will have long-term consequences for both parents and babies. Mandy Daly, founder of INHA, told us how this campaign was developed. Mrs…
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Single-family rooms vs. open-bay unit: new study reveals differences in psychological well-being of parents of very preterm babies depending on type of NICU design
In a study from Norway, researchers compared depression, anxiety, stress and attachment scores in parents of very preterm babies who were accommodated either in a single-family room (SFR) or in an open-bay (OB) unit. When a child is born preterm, parents often suffer from the immediate and lengthy separation from their babies in the hospital. As our instincts are programmed to take care of our…
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Parenteral nutrition for ill and preterm infants – meeting nutritional needs in the NICU
Interview with Professor Nadja Haiden, Medical University of Vienna, Austria Babies with a healthy digestive tract usually get their nutrition by drinking breastmilk and digesting. This provides the body with the nutrients necessary for growth and development. However, babies who are born very preterm or have certain illnesses often cannot be fed by mouth or by a feeding tube. In this case, they require so-called parenteral nutrition,…
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The NICU of the future: design meets function
Standards in practice - Best practice example for standards of care depicting the NICU of the future written by Dr Atle Moen, Consultant in neonatology at the Department of Neonatology, Rikshospitalet, Oslo University Hospital, Norway Our knowledge of how hospitalised term and preterm infants perceive, relate and are influenced by their surrounding environment has improved significantly during the last 20 years. Infants are negatively influenced…
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New awareness week dedicated to mental health support for parents and families
The Neonatal Mental Health Awareness Week is a new momentum to raise awareness for the impact on mental health that a stay at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has on the families of preterm or ill born babies. The aim of the first Neonatal Mental Health Awareness Week from 15-21 April 2019 is dedicated to campaign for funded and planned mental health support for everyone who is involved in the neonatal pathway. Mental health support falls greatly behind in…
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