The Impact of Parental Presence Restrictions on Canadian Parents in the NICU During COVID-19: A National Survey-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

The Impact of Parental Presence Restrictions on Canadian Parents in the NICU During COVID-19: A National Survey

Published:2022-08-01 Issue:1 Volume:29 Page:18-27
ISSN:1074-8407
Container-title:Journal of Family Nursing
language:en
Short-container-title:J Fam Nurs

Author:

Campbell-Yeo Marsha¹²^ORCID,Dol Justine²^ORCID,McCulloch Holly²,Hughes Brianna¹,Hundert Amos²,Bacchini Fabiana³,Whitehead Leah²,Afifi Jehier¹²,Alcock Lynsey²,Bishop Tanya²,Dorling Jon⁴,Earle Rebecca²,Elliott Rose Annette²,Inglis Darlene²,Leighton Carye²,MacRae Gail²,Melanson Andrea²,Simpson C. David¹²,Smit Michael¹

Affiliation:

1. Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada

2. IWK Health, Halifax, NS, Canada

3. Canadian Premature Babies Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada

4. University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore parental perspectives on the impact of parent restrictions imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic across Canadian Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). A co-designed online survey was conducted targeting parents ( n = 235) of infants admitted to a Canadian NICU from March 1, 2020, until March 5, 2021. Parents completed the survey from 38 Canadian NICUs. Large variation in the severity of policies regarding parental presence was reported. Most respondents (68.9%) were classified as experiencing high restrictions, with one or no support people allowed in the NICU, and felt that policies were less easy to understand, felt less valued and respected, and found it more challenging to access medicine or health care. Parents reported gaps in care related to self-care, accessibility, and mental health outcomes. There is significant variation in parental restrictions implemented across Canadian NICUs. National guidelines are needed to support consistent and equitable care practices.

Funder

Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Family Practice,Community and Home Care

Link

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/10748407221114326

Reference36 articles.

1. Parents experiencing NICU visit restrictions due to COVID‐19 pandemic

2. Key components of early intervention programs for preterm infants and their parents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

3. A co-design of clinical virtual care pathways to engage and support families requiring neonatal intensive care in response to the COVID-19 pandemic (COVES study)