Neonatal family integrated care: Ensuring a positive parental experience

Abstract Objectives The Quality Improvement Project (QIP) aims to implement Family Integrated Care (FiCare) in our Neonatal Unit ensuring that a positive parental experience is provided. The principle objective was to gain feedback from previous parents in order to identify barriers and facilitators to a positive parental experience, areas for improvement and to consider specific changes in practice to implement. Method Data were collected in our tertiary level Unit using the following mixed methods: 1) Questionnaires posted to parents who had a baby admitted to the Neonatal Unit in the preceding two years. 2) One open-ended question. 3) A focus group inclusive of staff and parents. Quantitative data were analysed to identify areas of both success and for improvement. Qualitative data were analysed using framework analysis to identify common themes. Results From 37 completed questionnaires parents felt: •Involved in their baby's care. •Staff were trustworthy. •Good feeding support was provided. Areas for improvement included providing more information about a baby's condition and about support groups. Seven emerging themes from the analysis, including communication and staff support, identified a number of facilitators and barriers to a positive parental experience. Conclusion The data analysis suggested key areas for improvement include communication, providing more information about support groups and better preparation of discharge. Based on these findings, changes in our Neonatal Unit have been implemented to improve parental experience. Regular committee groups will continue and subsequently feedback will be re-assessed.