Research Article: Optimizing discharge outcomes in very preterm infants by a novel integrated family and rehabilitation care model—a retrospective case-matched study
Abstract:
In our routine NICU settings, traditionally implemented family-centered care (FCC) often showed limitations including insufficient parental involvement, high caregiver burden, and lack of systematic rehabilitation integration, which restricted improvements in respiratory, feeding, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study introduced a novel integrated family-centered care (NIFCC) model combining daytime family-integrated care, bedside rehabilitation, and nighttime professional NICU care, and investigated its effect on discharge outcomes in very preterm infants compared with traditionally implemented FCC in our clinical setting.
A retrospective 1:1 case-matched study was conducted in a level 4 NICU. Fifty-three very preterm infants (gestational age <32 weeks) receiving NIFCC were 1:1 matched with 53 controls under our traditionally implemented family-centered care. Primary outcomes included oxygen weaning, full oral feeding establishment, and Neonatal Behavioral Observation (NBO) scores. Secondary outcomes included complications, anthropometric measures, hospital stay, and costs.
The NIFCC group had significantly higher oxygen independence (92.5% vs. 73.6%, P =?0.018) and shorter oxygen therapy (18 vs. 25 days, P =?0.019). Full oral feeding rate was 100% vs. 86.8% ( P =?0.013), and NBO scores were higher (51 vs. 49, P =?0.036). Discharge anthropometrics were superior. No significant differences in preterm complications, hospital stay, or costs were found, and no adverse events occurred.
The NIFCC model is safe and effective, significantly improving oxygen weaning, oral feeding, neurobehavioral development, and growth in very preterm infants. By addressing the incomplete implementation of traditional FCC caused by insufficient staff training and lack of care culture transformation, NIFCC provides a valuable strategy for optimizing NICU care quality.
Introduction:
In our routine NICU settings, traditionally implemented family-centered care (FCC) often showed limitations including insufficient parental involvement, high caregiver burden, and lack of systematic rehabilitation integration, which restricted improvements in respiratory, feeding, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study introduced a novel integrated family-centered care (NIFCC) model combining daytime family-integrated care, bedside rehabilitation, and nighttime professional NICU care, and investigated its…
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