Palliative Care in Neonatal Intensive Care, Effects on Parent Stress and Satisfaction: A Feasibility Study. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Petteys, Annie R.; Goebel, Joy R.; Wallace, Joetta D.; Singh-Carlson, Savitri
• Is Part Of: American journal of hospice & palliative care. Volume 32:Number 8(2015)
• Page Start: 869
• Page End: 875
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: neonatal intensive care unit -- palliative care -- parent -- stress -- satisfaction -- infant -- premature; Hospice care -- Periodicals; Palliative treatment -- Periodicals; 362.175
• DOI: 10.1177/1049909114551014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1049-9091

Abstract

Context: Approximately 1 in 10 infants require neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization, which causes parental stress. Palliative care (PC) provides an opportunity to alleviate suffering and stress. Objectives: This study examines the effects of PC on NICU parent stress and satisfaction. Methods: A prospective cohort design compares stress and satisfaction among families receiving or not receiving PC. Results: No significant differences in stress scores were found ( P = .27-1.00). Palliative care parents (100%) were more likely to report being "extremely satisfied" with care than usual-care parents (50%). Conclusion: This study supports the feasibility of evaluating NICU PC services. Infants referred for PC typically have higher morbidity/mortality; therefore, higher parental stress scores may be expected. Stress levels were similar in both cohorts, thus PC did not increase stress and may decrease PC parent stress.