title: Parenting preemies: a unique program for family support and education after NICU discharge.
abstract: Research supports the importance of family-centered care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The significance of continuity in family-centered care beyond the NICU has recently gained attention. Parenting Preemies is a unique and easily replicated postdischarge program designed to ease the transition from hospital to home for NICU graduates and their families. The comprehensive program provides an effective means to demonstrate ongoing, family-centered, and cost-effective outreach after discharge. The specific target population includes premature, low birth-weight, and special needs infants, and their parents. A multidisciplinary team utilizes evidenced-based principles to facilitate an education and support group, in conjunction with home visits, as the foundation for promotion of optimal outcomes for preemies and their parents. Participant satisfaction is consistently positive.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, San Antonio Community Hospital, Upland, California 91786, USA. vwillis@sach.org
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Willis
mesh_terms: D022143:Family Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D016487:Parenting; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010379:Peer Group; D012944:Social Support