No abstract

Objectives

Of domains of pediatric PC explored, participants emphasized transparent communication, family meetings as a venue for collaboration and shared decision making, the significance of psychosocial support for maternal emotional distress, and the importance of continuity of care across an often long and stressful hospitalization. Although mothers desired privacy, participants valued the security of the open-room NICU design. Future research should address components of PC that predominate in this specialized population.

Transfer of infants to a CH from an RR-NICU for convalescent care has become routine but may place infants at risk. Our study indicates room for improvement by both CHs and RR-NICUs in the care of transferred VLBW infants.