title: Improving family-centered care practices in the NICU.
abstract: Family presence and participation in care in the NICU is fundamental to the recovery and well-being of the sick neonate and family. However, some NICU visitation policies are not supportive of families. A new visitor-management program was initiated at a local hospital. The program included open visitation for parents and others chosen by parents to be a support during their hospital stay. This quality-improvement project evaluated if there was any improvement in parents' perceptions and experiences of family-centered care after the implementation of the new visitor-management program. The NICU parent survey data revealed a modest positive difference in parent responses after the implementation of the program.
authors.forename: Laurie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Melondie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Sharon B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Stevenson
authors.forename: H Allen
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Harrison
mesh_terms: D022143:Family Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011050:Policy Making; D014481:United States; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology
keywords: NICU; family-centered care practices; visitation guidelines; visitor management