Implementing a Parent Education Program in the Special Care Nursery.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nParents of preterm hospitalized infants, whose lengths of stay can range from a few days to several months, often experience emotional liability. Because the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Special Care Nursery (SCN) is a stressful and intimidating environment, prompt attention should be given to reducing parental stress and increasing parental confidence in preparation to care for their child post-discharge.\n\n\nMETHODS\nA quality improvement pilot project was designed to evaluate the parent education and support program, titled HUG Your Baby, in a Level II SCN for its ability to decrease stress and increase confidence for postpartum mothers of preterm infants born at less than 35 weeks gestation during the infant s hospitalization.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe outcomes demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in maternal stress and a statistically significant increase in maternal confidence.\n\n\nDISCUSSION\nThe HUG Your Baby program is an effective parent education and support program that would benefit NICU and SCN families.