A Family Census Evaluating Parental Presence and Activities at a Tertiary Surgical Neonatal Unit
Catherine Douch, Safaa Eldeeb, Eva M. Loucaides, Amy Prior, Enny Sonuga, Nicola CrowleyABSTRACT
Aims
Neonatal unit (NNU) admission can adversely affect parental confidence, breastfeeding, attachment and mental health. Family Integrated Care (FICare) promotes parents as primary caregivers and may improve outcomes.
Methods
To establish baseline practice before FICare, a 14‐day parental presence census was conducted in a tertiary surgical NNU in South London. Parents self‐recorded presence and activities. Analyses characterised presence and engagement by infant and care characteristics.
Results
41/60 (68%) infants participated, contributing 338 care‐days. Mothers were present on 92% of care‐days (mean 7.6 h/day) and fathers on 62% (4.1 h/day). Overall parental presence averaged 7.9 h/day, peaking 11:00–18:00. Presence was lowest in intensive care (5.9 h/day) and highest among families rooming‐in (14.8 h/day). Presence decreased with distance from hospital and was lower among families with siblings or a non‐English primary language. Caregiving activities averaged 5.8/day, increasing with infant age before declining after 8 weeks.
Conclusion
Parental presence varied with infant clinical status, age and family circumstances. On‐site accommodation was associated with increased presence, highlighting infrastructure's importance in facilitating FICare. Distance, childcare and language create inequitable participation. Findings provide baseline data to inform support and FICare interventions.