Parental perceptions of the impact of neonatal unit visitation policies during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

ObjectivesTo ascertain parental perceptions of the impact of restricted visiting policies to neonatal intensive care units during the current COVID-19 pandemic.DesignCross-sectional survey of parents impacted by visitation policies.SettingSix tertiary level neonatal units, four from the UK and two from the USA, participated in the study.ParticipantsParents and families of infants hospitalised in the participating centres between 1 May 2020 and 21 August 2020.MethodsOnline-based and/or paper-based survey, querying the visitation policies and their impact on parents’ ability to visit, care for and bond with their infants.ResultsA total of 231 responses were received. Visitation limited to a single visitor with no restrictions on duration was the most frequently reported policy; 140/217 (63%). Visitation policies were perceived as being restrictive by 62% (138/219) of the respondents with 37% (80/216) reporting being able to visit less often than desired, 41% (78/191) reporting being unable to bond enough and 27% (51/191) reporting not being able to participate in their baby’s daily care. Mild to severe impact on breast feeding was reported by 36% (75/209) of respondents. Stricter policies had a higher impact on families and were significantly associated with a lack of bonding time, inability to participate in care and an adverse impact on breast feeding.ConclusionsVisitation policies during the COVID-19 pandemic varied between centres and over time with stricter restrictions implemented earlier on in the pandemic. Parents reported significant impacts on their ability to visit, care for and bond with their infants with perceived severity of impact worse with stricter restrictions.

Consequences of visiting restrictions during the COVID‐19 pandemic: An integrative review

“…However, such solutions cannot substitute the real presence. Muniraman et al 2020 Neonatal intensive care unit UK and USA Parents and families of infants (n=231) To assess parental perceptions of restricted visiting policies in the unit. One parent at the bedside at any time (63%), two parents at the bedside at any time (19%), one parent at the bedside with time restrictions (16%) Cross-sectional study Survey Visiting restrictions had impacts on the ability to visit, care for and bond with their infants.…”

“… What are the implications of this study for practice? Overall quality assessment Heat et al 2020 Y Y Y Y N N N N Y Y C C C M Mahoney et al 2020 Y Y Y Y N/A N/A N/A N/A Y Y Y C C M Mercadante et al 2020 Y Y Y Y N/A N/A N/A N/A Y Y C C C M Muniraman et al 2020 Y C Y Y N/A N/A N/A N/A Y Y C Y Y M O'Caoimh et al 2020 Y C Y Y N N C N Y Y C Y C M Ostacoli et al 2020 Y Y Y Y N N C N Y Y C Y C M Piscatello et al 2020 Y Y Y Y C …”

The Collateral Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Family-Centered Care: Challenges and Opportunities

“…Furthermore, in an effort to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, many NICUs have reduced parental (especially paternal) and family visitation privileges (Cavicchiolo et al, 2020a ; Murray and Swanson, 2020 ) regardless of the other parent's chance of being infected. Despite parents' understanding of the need for visitation restrictions, they are seriously concerned about their ability to visit, care for, and bond with their hospitalized infants (Muniraman et al, 2020 ).…”

Parental perception of neonatal ICU visitation during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…A cross‐sectional survey evaluated the concerns regarding neonatal unit visitation policy and postpartum depression among parents of neonates admitted to neonatal units in Tripoli, Libya from May‐June, 2020. The survey contained two sections: the first section included items on sociodemographics, and attitudes and perceptions pertaining to visitation policy, which was adapted from a previously published study 1 . The second section included the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), which was translated into the local Arabic language by two independent translators and validated with a Cronbach's α of 0.82.…”