In response to a qualitative study by researchers at CPQCC and the Stanford University School of Medicine published on April 5th in the Journal of Perinatology which examines narrative accounts of how vulnerable families receive unequal treatment in the NICU, CPQCC is releasing a "tip sheet" which includes ten suggestions on how NICUs can improve family-centered care for diverse families. Rather than being seen as a definitive list of "must-dos," these suggestions are intended to generate conversation within and among NICUs on how to recognize and address disparate care. Tips are grouped into six categories: acculturation of the unit; staff communication; counseling; organizational resources; family leadership; and education. CPQCC has also begun developing a set of measures of family-centered care to allow NICUs to better assess the extent to which families are integrated into their care of their infants. Dr. Krista Sigurdson, the lead author on the study, was recently awarded additional funding to conduct qualitative interviews and focus groups with former NICU families about their experiences of care and solicit feedback of the family-centered care measures under development.
For more information on the study or the tip sheet, please refer to the press release or contact Dr. Krista Sigurdson.
