Family Integrated Care (FICare) in Level II NICUs: An Innovative Program for Alberta

Detailed Summary

In Alberta, nearly one in every twelve babies is born too soon (preterm). Preterm babies are at greater risk for breathing and feeding problems, as well as infections, than babies born on their due date (full term). As a result, parents must leave their preterm babies in the hospital to fully develop and become healthy enough to take home. When it is time for discharge, parents are often not ready to look after their baby because they may have limited involvement in the care of their baby in hospital. In addition to the distress and costs to parents of having a baby in hospital, health system costs are also increased the longer a baby is in hospital. The purpose of this project is to test a new way to integrate parents into the care of their baby through a program called Family Integrated Care (FICare). In FICare, parents are educated and supported by nurses to provide care for their baby; nurses and doctors still provide intravenous medications and medical procedures. FICare has been tested in Ontario and shows promise as a better model of care for the small percentage of babies born more than 8 weeks early, who have to spend a long time in hospital. Now the investigators want to test FICare with the greater percentage of preterm babies who are born 4 to 8 weeks early to see if parents are able to take their baby home sooner, and if their babies are healthier. The investigators also want to know if FICare can reduce distress for parents. The investigators propose to test FICare in Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in Alberta by implementing FICare in half the Level II NICUs and comparing the outcomes with the other Level II NICUs who do not use FICare. If FICare improves outcomes for preterm babies and their parents, the investigators will implement it in all Level II NICUs. In Alberta, the investigators want the best quality care for our most vulnerable babies and their parents. This project is aligned with Alberta's Health Research and Innovation Strategy priority of wellness at every age (child and maternal health), and with Alberta Health Services' quality of care goals to increase efficiency, effectiveness, appropriateness, and acceptability of health care services delivery.

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Interventions