Promoting Parenting Supports and Engagement for Infants Born Preterm

We Reduced the Incidence of Postoperative Complications in Neonatal Ostomy Patients by Using Simple Devices

Background: Complications frequently occur after neonatal enterostomy. Enterostomy formation is a common outcome following an emergency neonatal laparotomy. This study investigated whether the incidence of complications after enterostomy could be decreased with a drainage device (composed of foreskin cerclage staple, a condom, and a 0-Mersilk braided nonabsorbable suture) fixed in the proximal ostomy bowel tube to improve proximal enterostomy in newborns. Methods: This study was a retrospective case note review of the incidence of emergency neonatal enterostomy incidence over a 3-year period (2/2016-2/2019) at the authors' center. A single surgeon conducted all surgeries. The incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications was compared between modified and traditional surgery groups. Results: All 47 surgeries were successfully completed (32 boys and 15 girls; sex ratio: 2.13:1). The mean (±SD) birth weight, gestational period, and daily age were 2.64 ± 0.81 kg 35.62 ± 3.76 weeks and 3.49 ± 5.61 days, respectively. The patients were divided into modified surgery groups (20 cases) and traditional surgery groups (27 cases). The modified surgery group had significantly lower rates of total complications, unplanned reoperations, wound-related complications, and stoma-related complications than the traditional group (p <0.05). Conclusions: The preliminary observations suggested that the simple drainage device was a safe and effective operation device that reduced the risk of stoma-related complications.

Safe care for premature babies at home: Parenting and stimulating development

Parental daily care and adequate stimuli are extremely important for development and safety of premature babies at home. This study aimed to analyze safe home care for babies born under 32 weeks from parents' perspectives, with a view to a longitudinal promotion of baby development. A qualitative study, based on philosophical hermeneutic approach proposed by Hans-Georg Gadamer, in which dialogue as a principle provides understanding and fusion of experiences and knowledge. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 parents of premature babies under 1 year of age. Thematic analysis proposed by Braun and Clarke was applied using an inductive approach. Elements related to safe care were identified: home arrival, safe home care: preserving baby health and development, support for safe home care, and development of parental care to promote baby safety. These elements can provide a basis for safe home care that needs to be reinforced longitudinally to increase particularities of baby protection, avoid accidents and illnesses, and improve appropriate developmental stimuli and positive parenting.

Not being able to hug our baby before the cables: Early experiences of parents with premature babies

BACKGROUND

The nursing care provided after the intensive care period and discharge can contribute to the optimal growth and development of the baby while protecting the mental health of the parents.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to examine in detail the experiences of parents with premature babies about having a premature baby and their experiences with the hospitalization process of their babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

DESIGN

The methodological approach was informed by Van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological methodology. The sample consisted of 15 parents who had a preterm baby in the NICU of a state hospital in Turkey.

RESULTS

The data obtained from this study were categorized under four themes: having a preterm baby, perception of intensive care, feelings toward nurses, emotions about discharge and home care.

CONCLUSIONS

Health professionals should know what the parents' perception of being a parent and having a premature baby is.

Family caregivers' experiences of caring for neonates undergoing enterostomy in China: A qualitative study

AIM

To describe the nursing experiences and care needs of family caregivers caring for neonates with enterostomies in China.

DESIGN

A qualitative study.

METHODS

We conducted semi-structured interviews with family caregivers who care for neonates undergoing enterostomy. Family caregivers were selected using a purposive sampling method from three children's hospitals until no new data were generated (N = 26). Data analysis applied the thematic analysis method. The caregivers' experiences were described using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The experience of family caregivers was described as growing in adaptation, where five main themes emerged: (1) complex emotional responses; (2) uncertainty about everything; (3) lack of confidence, anxiety and helplessness; (4) eagerness for professional support; (5) active adaptation, gain-harvest and gain-growth. These findings increased understanding and added knowledge on this topic that is rarely studied in China. Healthcare authorities and professionals should recognize and understand the lives and situations of family caregivers (whose neonates undergo enterostomy) to better identify their difficulties and needs.

Implementation of a pilot electronic parent support tool in and after neonatal intensive care unit discharge

OBJECTIVE

To describe an electronic parent support tool for the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and to assess whether support requests changed with staff availability.

METHODS

We implemented secure text- or email-based parent support in the NICU and in the week after discharge. Questionnaires asked whether a parent would like psychology, social work, child life, chaplain, or post-discharge nurse support. Requested referrals were placed, and customized online resources and contacts were provided. We assessed whether requests changed based on in-person resource availability.

RESULTS

Of 378 infants in our NICU from May to December, 202 parents agreed to participate. The proportion agreeing to participate increased over time (38-59%, p = 0.012). Post-discharge nurse requests decreased over time (90-45%, p = 0.033); other requests did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

An electronic tool increased parent support availability in the NICU and following discharge, even after staff were available at the bedside.

Transitional care experiences of caregivers of preterm infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit: A qualitative descriptive study

Aim

To describe the transitional care experiences and nursing needs of caregivers of preterm infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Design

A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured interviews with the 24 caregivers of preterm infants admitted to Children's Hospital, Soochow University. All data were collected by a trained and experienced interviewer. The caregivers' experiences were described using qualitative content analysis.

Results

Six Five themes emerged from the analysis: (a) uncertainty about the disease; (b) anxiety due to restricted visitation; (c) exhaustion from overwork; (d) emotional depression; (e) low care ability; (f) a variety of channels for help and a positive response. This study provides a basis for understanding the needs of their caregivers so that effective coping strategies can be implemented. Nurses' education and practice should focus on understanding the real experiences of the parents of preterm infants during transitional nursing.