Our Responsibility to Follow Through for NICU Infants and Their Families

Abstract

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Advancing Health Equity by Translating Lessons Learned from NICU Family Visitations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The Vermont Oxford Network has proposed interventions to reduce racial and ethnic inequalities in preterm birth and create a culture of "follow-through" that accepts our responsibilities to address the social determinants of health. (44) Our suggestions here apply not only to the current time of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also after it has subsided. In accordance with the issues described previously, a needs assessment of parental and caregiver visitation in the NICU can elucidate the various barriers to their bedside presence.…”

“…Implement quality improvement metrics and track outcomes for NICU visitation policies during and after COVID-19 across affiliated NICU sites based on race/ethnicity, sex, socioeconomic status, and community health status to mitigate any health disparities National/regional Serve on state/regional/national taskforces that address NICU health disparities, and social determinants of health Advocate for Medi-Cal/Medicaid support for migrant and underserved families Promote social justice initiatives and health policy related to maternal and neonatal health care at the state/ regional/national level Adapted from the Vermont Oxford Network's "Potentially better practices for follow through." (44) e4 NeoReviews to take to promote NICU and family advocacy for health equity.…”

Discharge Age and Weight for Very Preterm Infants: 2005–2018

“…3,4 Equally important are the needs to establish discharge readiness; 5 find an infant's medical home; 6 assess housing, psychosocial support, and other social needs; 7 and take appropriate steps to follow through to address the social determinants of health. 8 Given that, the optimal discharge age and weight for stable preterm infants are largely unknown. Historically, discharge occurred when infants achieved a certain weight.…”

COVID-19 and Newborn Care: April 2020

“…Future studies should focus on the short-and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on families, particularly minority families given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on minorities and the poor 7 .…”