SHUTTERSTOCK
N E O N A T A L C A R E
A
newborn with a life-threatening medical
condition is every parent's nightmare, and the
strain of having a seriously ill child can weigh
heavily on all members of a family. That's
why more and more hospitals with neonatal
intensive care units (NICU) are offering family-oriented
care to help ease the stress as much as possible.
Family-oriented care is a broad term that covers a
wide range of practices, including the encouragement of
parental bonding with newborns, breastfeeding, skin-to-
skin contact and the involvement of older siblings in the
treatment process.
"The formation of a family-centered NICU is important
for many reasons," says Dr. Gregory Martin, NICU
medical director for Diamond Children's Medical Center,
part of Banner—University Medical Center Phoenix. "The
most obvious reason is it integrates the family into the care
processes the babies are receiving. It starts with the mom
involved, as we encourage breastfeeding and what we
term 'kangaroo care,' or a high level of skin contact, and
it branches out from there to the entire family."
FAMILY MATTERS
In recent years, physicians and hospitals have developed
a much better understanding of the correlation between
the emotional state of a family with a sick infant and a
Family-centered
care for
(continued on page 24)
We try to partner the family with
a primary nurse, so they develop
familiarity with a staff member.
"
~ Dr. Gregory Martin,
Banner—University
Medical Center Phoenix
"
sick infants
By Erik Cassano
w w w. s p i r i t o f w o m e n . c o m FA L L 2 015 S P I R I T O F W O M E N
2 3
To find a Spirit of Women hospital, including a local
resource for neonatal care, go to pages 12-13.