Abstract
The purpose of the project was aimed to improve bonding between parents and their preterm babies through early and continuing communication between mothers and babies, keeping parents informed about their child's conditions and involving mothers in the basic care of their babies.
This quality improvement project forms part of the deliverables of the first African cohort of Maternal Child Health Nursing Leadership Academy (MCHNLA). It focuses on improving family-centered care in a neonatal ICU of an academic referral institution admitting pre-term and sick infants. Due to various factors such as high tech environment, overcrowding, sick mothers and sick babies, there was often delayed first contact between the families and the babies. This often leads to lack of bonding and attachment, which are crucial for short term and long term positive outcomes for the babies and the families, and prevention of outcomes such as neglect and abandonment.
A survey was conducted by using questionnaires to obtain baseline data of the perceived care by the parents and staff. A quality improvement initiative was then developed through nominal group technique with the healthcare providers in the NICU. The initiative was implemented and the survey was repeated one year later.
The quality improvement initiative contributed to the family-centered care in the unit. The level of perceived care was higher after the initiative with many more family-centred care activities being implemented during routine care. This is expected to enhance bonding, attachment and positive outcomes for families and is a contribution to maternal and child health.
The mentee's leadership skills improved during the project as she applied it during the compilation of a multi-disciplinary team, sharing her vision, modeling the way, sometimes challenging the process and expressing the small wins during the process.
Contribution: Sigma Theta Tau International: Maternal and Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy in Africa (MCHNLA Africa); the Nursing Foundation; and the Neonatal Nurses Association of Southern Africa (NNASA)
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
N/A
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Maternal Child Nursing, Nurse Leader, Neuro-developmental care, Quality Improvement, South Africa
Recommended Citation
Kekana, Poppy; Maree, Carin; and Van der Walt, Christa, "Improving family centered care in the NICU" (2017). Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership - Africa. 6.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/mchnla/2015/posters/6
Conference Name
Tau Lambda Conference 2015
Conference Host
Tau Lambda at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Johannesburg, South Africa
Conference Year
2015
Rights Holder
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Review Type
Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Poster
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Improving family centered care in the NICU
Johannesburg, South Africa
The purpose of the project was aimed to improve bonding between parents and their preterm babies through early and continuing communication between mothers and babies, keeping parents informed about their child's conditions and involving mothers in the basic care of their babies.
This quality improvement project forms part of the deliverables of the first African cohort of Maternal Child Health Nursing Leadership Academy (MCHNLA). It focuses on improving family-centered care in a neonatal ICU of an academic referral institution admitting pre-term and sick infants. Due to various factors such as high tech environment, overcrowding, sick mothers and sick babies, there was often delayed first contact between the families and the babies. This often leads to lack of bonding and attachment, which are crucial for short term and long term positive outcomes for the babies and the families, and prevention of outcomes such as neglect and abandonment.
A survey was conducted by using questionnaires to obtain baseline data of the perceived care by the parents and staff. A quality improvement initiative was then developed through nominal group technique with the healthcare providers in the NICU. The initiative was implemented and the survey was repeated one year later.
The quality improvement initiative contributed to the family-centered care in the unit. The level of perceived care was higher after the initiative with many more family-centred care activities being implemented during routine care. This is expected to enhance bonding, attachment and positive outcomes for families and is a contribution to maternal and child health.
The mentee's leadership skills improved during the project as she applied it during the compilation of a multi-disciplinary team, sharing her vision, modeling the way, sometimes challenging the process and expressing the small wins during the process.
Contribution: Sigma Theta Tau International: Maternal and Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy in Africa (MCHNLA Africa); the Nursing Foundation; and the Neonatal Nurses Association of Southern Africa (NNASA)