Implementing modified family integrated care in a U.S. neonatal intensive care unit: nursing perspectives and effects on parents

OBJECTIVES: (1) Assess effects of a modified Family Integrated Care (FICare) model on U.S. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) parents; (2) Evaluate NICU nurses’ perspectives. DESIGN: Case -control design with parental stress assessed before and after NICU-wide FICare implementation using Parent Stressor Scale: NICU (PSS:NICU) questionnaire. In addition, stratification by degree of participation evaluated associations with parental stress, parental-staff communication and discharge readiness. Questionnaires captured nursing perspectives on FICare. RESULTS: 79 parents (88%) participated prior to FICare; 90 (90%) after. Parent stress was lower (p < 0.001) with FICare. Parents learning 5–15 infant-care skills had lower stress compared to those learning <5 (p = 0.008). Parent utilization of an educational app was associated with improved communication frequency (p = 0.007) and quality (p = 0.012). Bedside NICU nurses reported multiple positive associations of FICare for parents and staff. CONCLUSIONS: Any degree of FICare participation decreases parental stress; increased participation has multiple positive associations.