Exploring the impact of a Dual-Occupancy NICU design on parental experience

Publication date: Available online 27 January 2020Source: Journal of Neonatal NursingAuthor(s): Margaret Broom, Zsuzsoka KecskesAbstractA comparative observational study was undertaken to compare the impact of Open-Bay and Dual-Occupancy Intensive Care Unit (NICU) design on parent activities and evaluate their perceptions of both designs. Study methods included: a parent activity study, parent feedback surveys comparing physical environments, and parental involvement. Post transition parent interviews (n = 10) were conducted to gain a deeper insight into families' experiences in the Dual-Occupancy NICU. Results showed parents spent significantly more minutes per day [24 h] participating in their infant's care in the Dual-Occupancy NICU when compared to Open-Bay (359.40, 228.70, p < 0.01; respectively); similarly, increased participation was recorded in the Dual-Occupancy Special Care Nursery (SCN) when compared to the Open-Bay SCN (295.20, 231.90, p < 0.01: respectively). Parents perceived Dual-Occupancy design created “a home away from home” facilitating parental involvement in Kangaroo Care and breast feeding, where they could attend to their infant's care with minimal interruptions and privacy.
Source: Journal of Neonatal Nursing - Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Source Type: research