Support for siblings of NICU patients: an interdisciplinary approach.
Siblings of hospitalized newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) experience unique thoughts and feelings in response to this situational crisis. Providing an opportunity for siblings and their parents to address both of their concerns can improve sibling adjustment to the NICU, and is also consistent with a family-centered care philosophy. This article traces the development and evolution of sibling policy and program changes at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital (HDVCH) NICU, and describes the current comprehensive model for inclusion of siblings. Particular emphasis will be given to the cornerstone program "Celebrating Siblings Pizza Party." Infection control considerations and the importance of an interdisciplinary team approach to enhance an array of sibling services are also highlighted.
Helen DeVos Children's Hospital NICU, 100 Michigan Street NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA. judy.levick@devoschildrens.org
Judy
J
Levick
Marie
M
Quinn
Amanda
A
Holder
Amy
A
Nyberg
Ed
E
Beaumont
Shari
S
Munch
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005192:Family Health; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008824:Michigan; D017146:Models, Organizational; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods*; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014789:Visitors to Patients