Theresa H M Kim1, Marsha Campbell-Yeo2, Tim Disher3, Justine Dol3, Brianna Richardson3, Tanya Bishop1, Alannah Delahunty-Pike1, Jon Dorling4, Megan Glover1, Darlene Inglis1, Teresa Johnson1, Denise Lalanne1, Doug Mcmillan4, Patrick Mcgrath5, Joelle Monaghan1, Adele Orovec6, David C Simpson4, Natasha Skinner1, Lori Wozney1, Leah Whitehead1. 1. IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 2. IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Electronic address: marsha.campbell-yeo@dal.ca. 3. Faculty of Health, School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 4. IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 5. IWK Health Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. 6. Faculty of Science, Department of Medical Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Presence in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a vital step for caregivers initiating involvement, such as skin-to-skin contact, holding or singing/reading to their newborn. Little is known about caregiver presence and involvement in Canadian NICU's context by caregiver type (mother, father, other), and the association between maternal presence and key maternal and newborn characteristics. PURPOSE: The primary objective was to examine the presence and involvement of family caregivers in the NICU. The secondary objective was to examine the relationship between maternal presence and maternal and newborn characteristics. DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study in an open bay setting of an Eastern Canadian NICU. Presence (physically present at the newborn's bedside) and involvement (e.g., skin-to-skin, singing/reading) were tracked daily by families in the NICU until discharge. Demographic information was also collected. RESULTS: Participants included 142 mothers and their newborns. Mothers were present 8.7 h/day, fathers were present 4.1 h/day, and other caregivers were present 1.8 h/day in the NICU in the first 34 days. Mothers were involved in care activities 50% of the time they were present in the NICU, whereas fathers and other caregivers were spending 20% and 6% of their time respectively. Regression identified maternal age, distance to home, parity, birthweight, and length of stay to be statistically significant variables related to maternal presence. CONCLUSIONS: There is variation in presence and involvement by caregiver type. Targeted interventions to maintain and increase mothers, fathers and other caregivers' presence and involvement in care throughout their stay in the NICU are recommended.
BACKGROUND: Presence in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a vital step for caregivers initiating involvement, such as skin-to-skin contact, holding or singing/reading to their newborn. Little is known about caregiver presence and involvement in Canadian NICU's context by caregiver type (mother, father, other), and the association between maternal presence and key maternal and newborn characteristics. PURPOSE: The primary objective was to examine the presence and involvement of family caregivers in the NICU. The secondary objective was to examine the relationship between maternal presence and maternal and newborn characteristics. DESIGN AND METHODS: A prospective observational cohort study in an open bay setting of an Eastern Canadian NICU. Presence (physically present at the newborn's bedside) and involvement (e.g., skin-to-skin, singing/reading) were tracked daily by families in the NICU until discharge. Demographic information was also collected. RESULTS:Participants included 142 mothers and their newborns. Mothers were present 8.7 h/day, fathers were present 4.1 h/day, and other caregivers were present 1.8 h/day in the NICU in the first 34 days. Mothers were involved in care activities 50% of the time they were present in the NICU, whereas fathers and other caregivers were spending 20% and 6% of their time respectively. Regression identified maternal age, distance to home, parity, birthweight, and length of stay to be statistically significant variables related to maternal presence. CONCLUSIONS: There is variation in presence and involvement by caregiver type. Targeted interventions to maintain and increase mothers, fathers and other caregivers' presence and involvement in care throughout their stay in the NICU are recommended.
Authors: Rahul K Patel; Beth L Kreofsky; Katie M Morgan; Amy L Weaver; Jennifer L Fang; Jane E Brumbaugh Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2022-09-10 Impact factor: 3.225