Nursing practice of follow-up outpatient of infants discharged from NICU

Abstract

 The study aimed to clarify the actual conditions of nursing practice of follow-up outpatient of infants discharged from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It also examined nursing practice issues and ideals of follow-up outpatient of infants discharged from NICU. We conducted an anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey among 544 practicing nurses for follow-up outpatient of infants discharged from NICU. An analysis of 220 (40.4%) valid responses revealed that 169 (76.8%) nurses believed a need exists for better engagement with infants and their families than currently exists for follow-up outpatient of infants. Eight categories for nursing practice were extracted, such as “Continuous support for focusing on life in the community.” Nine categories of nurses’ thoughts on nursing practice were extracted, such as “I want to know strategies for high-quality nursing practice regardless of NICU work experience.” The results showed that the actual condition of nursing practice of follow-up outpatient of infants discharged from NICU differed by facility. This finding suggests the necessity for developing strategies that enable high-quality nursing practice.