Developing a Family-Centered Care Model in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU): A New Vision to Manage Healthcare

Abstract

Family-centered care (FCC) currently takes a greater role in health care, due to the increasing empowerment parents experience. Within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), family participation has an impact on the humanized care of the preterm newborn (PN). This integrative review conducted according to Whittemore and Knafl investigated current knowledge of the FCC model and its application in PN care in specific units. The data were collected from PubMed, Cochrane, CINHAL, Scopus, and Google Scholar. A total of 46 articles were used, of which 13 were selected which met inclusion criteria. Their methodological quality was evaluated using the mixed method appraisal tool (MMAT), and after they were analyzed and grouped into four thematic blocks: (1) parental participation; (2) health parental training; (3) benefits of family empowerment; and (4) humanized care. The results revealed that FCCs promote the integration of health equipment and family. In addition, parents become the primary caregivers. The benefits of the family–PN binomial enable an earlier hospital discharge. Humanized care involves an ethical approach, improving health care. Changes are still needed by health managers to adapt health services to the needs of the family and PNs.

Percepção dos pais sobre as práticas de educação em saúde na Unidade Neonatal

“…Os resultados do presente estudo salientaram a necessidade dos profissionais reduzirem o stresse parental e otimizarem o envolvimento dos pais nos cuidados através de uma comunicação efetiva, da presença e da empatia, que são inerentes às abordagens do CCF 25 . Acrescentamos, ainda, que, ao confrontar os resultados nos dois GF, apesar das diferenças no tempo de internamento, não se verificaram diferenças no que concerne às práticas de educação em saúde na UN.…”

Experiences of Parents of Preterm Children Hospitalized Regarding Restrictions to Interact with Their Children Imposed Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…This model, broadly disseminated globally and whose principles are applied in the different contexts of neonatal care, promotes the implication of parents in caring for their children, favors family bonding and empowerment to achieve more humanized care. ( 7 ) Although the pandemic supposes new logics in the interaction by both parents with their children, it is important to consider that these principles continue tracing the path of caring for preterm children, given that evidence exists of the positive health effects and wellbeing of preterm children and their families. ( 15 ) In this care focus, it is necessary to recognize that the presence of both parents is fundamental.…”

“…These measures that, although necessary, generate great concern, given that it has been described that close companionship during hospitalization brings important benefits at physical and emotional levels for the parents and their children. ( 4 - 7 ) After years of promoting in Colombia the opening of the neonatal units to the parents and of working to favor their prolonged permanence during their children’s hospitalization, the COVID-19 pandemic, almost unexpectedly, demanded an opposing attitude, whose effects are yet unknown. Given the scarce information on the theme and considering the importance of knowing the experiences of the parents within this context, this article sought to describe the experiences of parents of preterm children hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit, regarding restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Nursing Perspective of the Humanized Care of the Neonate and Family: A Systematic Review

“…In fact, some studies value that the female nurse figure incorporates concepts such as participation and negotiation to enhance family empowerment [ 4 , 6 ]. Nursing even covers the demands of the family by including them in the care plan and detecting their needs [ 27 ].…”