Impact of a family-centered care initiative on NICU care, staff and families.
OBJECTIVE
Family-centered care is becoming a standard of care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a national program designed to promote family-centered care in NICUs and to provide information and comfort to families during the NICU hospitalization of their newborn.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental, post-only design was utilized, examining eight March of Dimes NICU Family Support((R)) (NFS) sites. Data were gathered via telephone interviews with NICU administrators and surveys of both NICU staff and NICU families.


RESULTS
NICU administrators interviewed identified benefits of NFS, including culture change and additional support to families. Surveys of NICU staff showed that NFS enhances the overall quality of NICU care resulting in less stressed, more informed and confident parents. Surveys of NICU families showed that NFS both reduced their stress and made them feel more confident as their baby's parent.


CONCLUSIONS
March of Dimes NFS has had a positive impact on the stress level, comfort level and parenting confidence of NICU families. In addition, it has enhanced the receptivity of staff to the presence and benefits of family-centered care.
Cooper
L G
LG
National Office, March of Dimes Foundation, White Plains, NY, USA. lcooper@marchofdimes.com
Gooding
J S
JS
Gallagher
J
J
Sternesky
L
L
Ledsky
R
R
Berns
S D
SD
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014481:United States