NeoConnect

Abstract

Background: Familial involvement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reduces parental stress and strengthens parental-infant bonding. However, parents often face barriers to in-person visitation. The coronavirus disease-2019 COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated limitations to parental bedside presence. Objective: To design, implement, and evaluate a technology-based program to connect NICU babies with their families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We created NeoConnect at our level IV NICU, which included parental audio recordings and video chats between parents and their babies. Parental and NICU staff input on NeoConnect was gathered via preimplementation surveys. Inaugural families and staff members completed a postparticipation survey. Results: Prior to implementation, all parents who were surveyed (n = 24) wished they could be more involved in their baby's care. In the first 3 months of NeoConnect, 48 families participated in the audio recording project and 14 families participated in the video chat initiative. Following implementation, 85% of surveyed staff (28/33) reported that the patients became calmer when listening to their parents' recorded voice and 100% of surveyed parents (6/6) reported that video chats reduced their stress level. Conclusion: Harnessing technology as a tool to increase parental involvement in the NICU is feasible and beneficial for NICU patients and their families.

Parental presence, participation, and engagement in paediatric hospital care: A conceptual delineation

“…Virtual presence has enabled parents to be present for care events such as bedside rounds (Tallent et al., 2022), or during restrictions to patient access due to infectious disease outbreaks (Dudeck et al., 2023; Duff et al., 2021; Koller et al., 2006; Papadimos et al., 2018; Voo et al., 2020). Virtual presence relies on access to technology, adequate connectivity for patients and parents, and facilitation by nurses (Antinora et al., 2023; Duff et al., 2021; Koller et al., 2006). Though it can provide connection between parent and child, virtual presence does not replicate physical presence (Campbell‐Yeo et al., 2023).…”

“…Means used for virtual presence may enable proxy participation (Tallent et al., 2022; Voo et al., 2020). Proxy participation comforts and supports the child through the use of pictures, objects (e.g., article of parents' clothing), and/or voice recordings when physical presence is limited (Antinora et al., 2023; Hurst, 2001; Koller et al., 2006; Schenk & Kelley, 2010; Voo et al., 2020). Voice recordings have been demonstrated to have physiological benefits for neonates (Williamson & McGrath, 2019), relying on facilitation by nurses (Koller et al., 2006) to enact this form of proxy participation.…”

“…. Virtual presence relies on access to technology, adequate connectivity for patients and parents, and facilitation by nurses(Antinora et al, 2023;Duff et al, 2021;Koller et al, 2006). Though it can provide connection between parent and child, virtual presence does not replicate physical presence(Campbell-Yeo et al, 2023).…”