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Neonatal ICU Parent Support Groups

Neonatal ICU Parent Support Groups. Quality Improvement Project Kate Thibault University of South Florida, College of Nursing. Objectives. Describe a Neonatal ICU Parent Support Group Identify the benefits of implementing a parental support at Tampa General Hospital’s Neonatal ICU

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Neonatal ICU Parent Support Groups

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  1. Neonatal ICU Parent Support Groups Quality Improvement Project Kate Thibault University of South Florida, College of Nursing

  2. Objectives • Describe a Neonatal ICU Parent Support Group • Identify the benefits of implementing a parental support at Tampa General Hospital’s Neonatal ICU • Discuss a potential roll-out plan and how it may be implemented

  3. Background • After discharge from Tampa General Hospital’s (TGH) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), parents are sent a Press Ganey survey to evaluate their experience

  4. Press Ganey • Benchmarked data from 9/30/2013 reported that the NICU at TGH scored lowest in the following categories: • Staff met emotional needs • Staff sensitivity re: stress

  5. Current Problem • Emotional needs of parents are not being met • Parental stress involved with parenting a NICU infant: • Infant’s appearance and behavior may be confusing • Unfamiliar environment of the NICU • Isolated from usual systems of support • Coping with their feelings of: • Anxiety • Fear • Guilt • Helplessness • Depression

  6. Meet Mrs. H Mrs. H delivered her 1200g son, Joshua, prematurely at 27 weeks. Joshua was transferred to the NICU immediately after delivery. Since recovering from delivery, Mrs. H and her husband have been at Joshua’s bedside every day. As first time parents they have many questions, fears and anxieties that have been compounded by Joshua’s current condition and NICU hospitalization. They are feeling overwhelmed and do not like to bother the nursing staff with so many questions. Their friends who delivered at St. Joseph’s Hospital recommend that they get involved in a Parent Support group at TGH. Mrs. H and her husband think this is a great idea, and ask Joshua’s nurse– “Does TGH have a NICU parent support group?”

  7. Opportunity for Improvement • “Does TGH have a NICU parent support group?” • No – TGH does not presently offer a NICU parent support group • How would a support group help? • Would provide a place of support for the parents of neonatal patients being cared for • Would improve the amount of emotional support & assistance provided • Would enhance family-centered care approach

  8. What is a support group? • Ways to link current NICU parents with current and former NICU parents: • Scrapbooking nights/arts & crafts • Bedside/Telephone support to new NICU parents • Educational topic nights • Infant CPR certification classes • Transitioning home • Sibling support • Breastfeeding support • To ensure for a positive experience for all individuals former NICU parents must be screened, prepared, and trained

  9. Purpose • Provide NICU parents with contact with other NICU parents and families – both past and present • Valuable source of: • Hope • Information • Advice • Support • Share their feelings • Connection • Similar conditions • Experiences

  10. Benefits • Place to share feelings • Educational • Receive advice • Help parents to cope with stress • More confident in their ability to provide care • Less depression & anxiety • Greater satisfaction with NICU stay • Increased self-esteem • Better maternal-infant relationships • More nurturing home environments • Improved communication with hospital staff

  11. Parent-to-Parent Support • A study of 70 mothers of preterm infants in the NICU in a Midwestern regional perinatal center • Participants were divided into: • Nurse managed parent-to-parent support group (treatment group) • Comparison group Results: • Mothers who participated in the treatment group had: • Less anxiety during first 4 months post discharge • Self-esteem increase during first 4 months post discharge • Better maternal-infant relationships • More nurturing home environments Roman, L.A., Lindsay, J.K., Boger, R.P., DeWys, M., Beaumont, E.J., Jones, A.J., & Haas, B. (1995). Parent-to-parent support initiated in the neonatal intensive care unit. Research in Nursing & Health 18(5), 385-394.

  12. Parent “Buddy” Program • This study evaluated the effectiveness of parent-to-parent peer support for mothers of very preterm infants in a NICU • 32 mothers in the intervention group/28 mothers in control • Intervention Group: • Paired with trained mothers who had previously had a very preterm infant in the NICU • Telephone support was provided Results - Mothers in the intervention group reported: • Less stress • Less anxiety • Less depression • Greater perceived social support Overall – support from trained peers was found to be effective in helping mothers deal with the stress of a very preterm birth Preyde, M. & Ardal, F. (2003). Effectiveness of a parent “buddy” program for mothers of very preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. Canadian Medical Association Journal 168(8), 969-973.

  13. Potential Roll-Out Plan at TGH • Utilize an interdisciplinary approach – involving all members of healthcare team • Locate a meeting space for the parental support group • Identify and screen graduate NICU parent volunteers • Develop educational topics & ideas for meetings • Place informational posters about the group and meeting times around the unit • Educate the Staff about: • Implementation of the group • Encourage them to share the information with parents & families • Upon NICU admission, parents will be provided with information about the NICU support group and how to be involved • Upon discharge, NICU parents will be encouraged to stay involved

  14. Remember Mrs. H? • After the implementation of TGH’s NICU Parent Support Group – Mrs. H became one of its first members! • Mrs. H utilized the group for: • Support • As a place to share her feelings • To aid her in coping with stress & anxiety • Education • As a result – Mrs. H felt that the following improved: • Communication with the staff • Satisfaction with NICU stay • Involvement in her son’s care • Relationship with her son

  15. Conclusion • Implementing a NICU support group at TGH would benefit the parents, the patients, and the unit • A support group would: • Meet the emotional needs of the parents/families • Promote parental involvement • Enhance family-centered care approach • Improve communication between parents and staff • Provide a forum for parental education

  16. Help me AND my Mom & Dad

  17. References • Browne, J.V. & Talmi, A. (2005). Family-based intervention to enhance infant-parent relationships in the neonatal intensive care unit. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 30(8), 667-677. Doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsi053 • Coughlin, M., Gibbins, S., & Hoath, S. (2009). Core measures for developmentally supportive care in neonatal intensive care units: Theory, precedence and practice. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 65 (10), 2239-2248. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2009.05052.x • Gooding, J., Cooper, L., Blaine, A., Franck, L., Howse, J., & Berns, S. (2011). Family support and family-centered care in the neonatal intensive care unit: Origins, advances, impact. Seminars In Perinatology, 35(1), 20-28. doi:10.1053/j.semperi.2010.10.004 • Preyde, M. & Ardal, F. (2003). Effectiveness of a parent “buddy” program for mothers of very preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. Canadian Medical Association Journal 168(8), 969-973. • Roman, L.A., Lindsay, J.K., Boger, R.P., DeWys, M., Beaumont, E.J., Jones, A.J., & Haas, B. (1995). Parent-to-parent support initiated in the neonatal intensive care unit. Research in Nursing & Health 18(5), 385-394.

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