The effect of the presence of a support nurse on the safe transition of premature infants from the neonatal intensive care unit to home

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Transferring a premature infant from the hospital to home is a burden for the family. One of the most important goals of the health system is to facilitate the transition of the infant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the presence of a support nurse on the safe transition of premature infants from the hospital to home. METHODS: This clinical trial was performed in the presence of 60 mothers of premature and very premature infants (26-35 weeks) discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital in Isfahan (2018). Mothers were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. Data collection was done through a questionnaire and a researcher-made checklist. The intervention included the presence of a support nurse from the time of discharge, who accompanied them along the way, and stayed at their home for 1 to 3 hours. The nurse supported the family by training and performing the required care. The effect of the nurse's presence on the variables of home environment, infant health status and safe transition conditions was evaluated and compared. FINDINGS: Based on the results of the study, the mean score of home environment (87.73±10.45) and the mean score of safe transition (83.79±17.90) in the control group were higher more than the intervention group (81.45±16.49 and 80.77±16.52, respectively). The mean score of infant health status was the same in the two groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the study showed that mothers were well empowered in intensive care units and discharge instructions have been able to provide safe transition for premature infants. © 2020, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.