Continuity of care when transitioning complex preterm infants from NICU to home: Parent experiences

Some parents noted that NICU care experience improved their preparedness for home care.

“In contrast, some parents noted that their experience with NICU care, including hands‐on practice and professional guidance, enhanced their understanding of physical care needs and improved their preparedness for home care (Boykova 2016; Breivold et al. 2019; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Hariati et al. 2021; Hua et al. 2023; Larsson et al. 2017; Zamanzadeh et al. 2013).”

Social media serves as an important source of information for preterm care.

“Social media also serves as an important source of information for preterm care; however, the variability in content makes it challenging for parents to discern reliable information (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Some parents noted that NICU care experience, including hands-on practice and professional guidance, enhanced their understanding of physical care needs.

“In contrast, some parents noted that their experience with NICU care, including hands‐on practice and professional guidance, enhanced their understanding of physical care needs and improved their preparedness for home care (Boykova 2016; Breivold et al. 2019; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Hariati et al. 2021; Hua et al. 2023; Larsson et al. 2017; Zamanzadeh et al. 2013).”

Variability in social media content makes it challenging for parents to discern reliable information.

“Social media also serves as an important source of information for preterm care; however, the variability in content makes it challenging for parents to discern reliable information (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Growing competence enabled parents to regain control and take initiative in providing care, focusing on hygiene, daycare, and preventing cross-contamination.

“This growing competence enabled parents to regain control and take the initiative in providing care for their babies, focusing on hygiene, daycare, and preventing cross‐contamination (Aydon et al. 2018; Bright et al. 2020; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Communication with familiar healthcare providers helps parents understand their baby's condition and care needs.

“Communication with familiar healthcare providers helps parents understand their baby's condition and care needs (Boykova 2016; Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Toly et al. 2019; Zamanzadeh et al. 2013).”

Parents emphasised the need for access to a comprehensive list of discharge plans tailored to their infants, equipping them with necessary skills and knowledge.

“They emphasised the need for access to a comprehensive list of discharge plans tailored to their infants, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to care for their babies effectively (Fairless et al. 2021; Griffin and Pickler 2011; Hua et al. 2021; Toral‐López et al. 2016; Veronez et al. 2017).”

Initially, many parents felt unprepared for the discharge of premature infants, lacking confidence in their ability to care for them post-discharge.

“Initially, many parents felt unprepared for the discharge of premature infants, lacking confidence in their ability to care for them post‐discharge (Aydon et al. 2018; Boykova 2016; Fairless et al. 2021; Hariati et al. 2021; Hua et al. 2021; Hua et al. 2023).”