How the NIDCAP Nursery Certification Program changed St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital NICU
The care of the developmental aspects of the infant and family and the level of implementation we have reached. New staff orientation and education includes 8 hours regarding the developmental aspects of care as well as ongoing education at the bedside regarding developmentally supportive caregiving in daily practice. Our nursery is very aware of evidence based practice and performance improvement measures. They are empowered by asking questions and looking for ways in which they can improve practice and care in our nursery. They were thrilled by the recognition our nursery received. They are confident in their care and felt honored by the recognition of their care of infants, families and one another.
The staff is confident in their practice and support one another in providing a high level of developmentally supportive care. They speak freely to families about why we provide care the way we do and the outcomes we hope to promote for each infant. Staff is much more verbal with students we receive about the significance of developmentally supportive care to the infant’s outcome. In daily rounds with the medical team the infant’s development is part of the daily plan of care and progress. The staff demonstrates a very holistic picture of the infant and his plan of care including the infant’s development.
Families and infants are seen as unique individuals and their care is provided based on their strengths as well as their needs. Families express that they feel they are a respected partner in their infant’s care. They enjoy being part of their infant’s care as well as contributors to their child’s development. We have always had a strong family presence but parents have taken it to a higher level with a Formal Family Advisory Council. We have parent members on our unit committees. They are willing partners in improving practices and contributing to the growth of support for families whose infants are receiving care in the NICU currently. The families are aware of the NIDCAP Nursery Certification.
