ABSTRACT
A call to increase home visits and human function documenting by nurses.
Subject(s)
Primary Health Care , Humans , United States , House CallsABSTRACT
Preterm infants born before 37 weeks' gestation die of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) at a rate more than double that of term infants. There is a need for SIDS prevention programs tailored to the specific needs of parents of high-risk infants. The purpose of this study was to pilot test an online educational module addressing SIDS risk-reduction recommendations (RRRs) for parents of preterm infants. This study was conducted in a 44-bed transitional care unit at a level IV NICU in the Midwest. A repeated-measures design was used. Two weeks before discharge, mothers completed a survey, addressing knowledge and plans for caring for their baby at home. Mothers then viewed the 5-section Caring about Preemies' Safe Sleep (CaPSS) education module and completed the postmodule evaluation. A discharge survey was completed 4 weeks postdischarge. Fifteen mothers, mean age 26.4 years, participated; 8 (53%) returned the postdischarge survey. Module evaluation rated clarity and completeness of information high. Mothers' ratings of SIDS knowledge were significantly higher after viewing the module (P = .000) and 4 weeks after discharge home (P = .012). Mothers found the use of a pacifier at sleep times to be new information and changed their plans for caring for their infant, with 28.6% of mothers always offering a pacifier before sleep after discharge compared with the 6.7% who had planned to do this before discharge. However, only 71% of infants slept in parents' room after discharge and only 41% were receiving at least some breast milk, which are not consistent with SIDS RRRs.
Subject(s)
Infant Care/methods , Maternal Behavior , Mothers/education , Preventive Health Services , Sleep Hygiene , Sudden Infant Death , Adult , Educational Measurement , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Infant, Premature/physiology , Male , Preventive Health Services/methods , Preventive Health Services/organization & administration , Program Evaluation , Risk Reduction Behavior , Sudden Infant Death/etiology , Sudden Infant Death/prevention & controlABSTRACT
Safe transitioning of high-risk infants from hospital to home requires these essential elements: (1) a thorough understanding and adherence to infant-identified discharge criteria; (2) the coordination and progression of educational activities that prepare families for care at home; (3) the appropriate identification and utilization of referral services, both during hospitalization and in the community; (4) the involvement of community healthcare providers well versed in the care and follow-up of infants born ill or prematurely; (5) the psychosocial adaptations parents make as they accept their role as independent caregiver. A family Social assessment, Advocacy by all healthcare team members for the safety and well-being of the infant, strong Family involvement, and accessible Environmental resources contribute to the success of a SAFE discharge.
