This research aims to develop a novel eHealth solution supporting parents before, during and after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), increasing their readiness and level of self-efficacy and decreasing rates of unplanned use of health services post-discharge.
Start: 2023 – End: 2024
Design of a digital intervention to support parents throughout NICU discharge
Equipe: Laura Rio, cheffe de projet, Alessio De Santo, Riccardo Pfister (HUG)
Every year, an estimated 15 million infants are born preterm (more than 1 in 10) worldwide, and this number is rising. Parents of these infants suffer from emotional distress, depression and anxiety that may be a major contributor to adverse family and infant outcomes. Infants face higher risk of hospital readmission and death during the first year after birth. Comprehensive discharge preparation and teaching can increase readiness for discharge, and lower negative outcomes such as post-discharge emergency ward overuse. Costs associated with prematurity have been estimated around $51,600 per infant or worldwide $26.2 billion yearly. Specific support, especially during transition from hospital to home and beyond, is recommended, yet not systematically provided or adapted to the needs.
This research aims to develop a novel eHealth solution supporting parents before, during and after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), increasing their readiness and level of self-efficacy and decreasing rates of unplanned use of health services post-discharge.
© image: flickr.com
