PURPOSE:The purpose of this article is to outline a quality-improvement initiative designed to improve screening for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among parents with preterm infants born less than 30 weeks of gestation into the neonatal ICU (NICU). BACKGROUND:Parents of infants admitted to the NICU face significant trauma, leading to elevated risks of postpartum PTSD. Left undetected, PTSD can results in impaired maternal-infant bonding, parental functioning, and long-term child cognitive and emotional development. Despite available guidelines, routine assessment specifically for PTSD in the NICU environment remains uncommon. DISCUSSION:A screening bundle was initiated consisting of staff education on the use of the City Birth Trauma Scale, planned parent PTSD assessments, and a designated staff nurse champion. Among 16 analyzed responses (13 mothers, 3 significant others), 25% met all diagnostic criteria for high likelihood of PTSD, with 75% of those exhibiting dissociative symptoms. Additionally, negative cognitions/mood (68.8%) and hyperarousal (56.3%) were highly prevalent, and 50% reported significant life impairment. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE:Implementing a screening process is a practical and parent focused method to uncover substantial, previously unrecognized PTSD symptoms among NICU parents. Clinical practice locations have an opportunity to create an inclusive environment for the assessment and discussion of PTSD and the impacts on the family and infant. Future research should explore larger multi-site studies, tracking non-response rates, and evaluating screening at multiple intervals to capture delayed-onset PTSD.
ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this article is to outline a quality-improvement initiative designed to improve screening for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among parents with preterm infants born less than 30 weeks of gestation into the neonatal ICU (NICU). Background: Parents of infants admitted to the NICU face significant trauma, leading to elevated risks of postpartum PTSD. Left undetected, PTSD can results in impaired maternal-infant bonding, parental functioning, and long-term child cognitive and emotional development. Despite available guidelines, routine assessment specifically for PTSD in the NICU environment remains uncommon. Discussion: A screening bundle was initiated consisting of staff education on the use of the City Birth Trauma Scale, planned parent PTSD assessments, and a designated staff nurse champion. Among 16 analyzed responses (13 mothers, 3 significant others), 25% met all diagnostic criteria for high likelihood of PTSD, with 75% of those exhibiting dissociative symptoms. Additionally, negative cognitions/mood (68.8%) and hyperarousal (56.3%) were highly prevalent, and 50% reported significant life impairment. Implications for Research and Practice: Implementing a screening process is a practical and parent focused method to uncover substantial, previously unrecognized PTSD symptoms among NICU parents. Clinical practice locations have an opportunity to create an inclusive environment for the assessment and discussion of PTSD and the impacts on the family and infant. Future research should explore larger multi-site studies, tracking non-response rates, and evaluating screening at multiple intervals to capture delayed-onset PTSD.
BACKGROUND:Feeding difficulties in preterm infants prolong transitions to full oral feeding and worsen developmental outcomes. OBJECTIVE:This study examined the effects of maternal voice exposure on feeding transition outcomes in this group. METHODS:This quasi-experimental, nonrandomized study enrolled 62 preterm infants (≤34 weeks gestation) in a Taiwanese tertiary neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The intervention group (n = 31) received 15 minutes recorded maternal voice sessions twice daily for 10 days, standardized for visitation restrictions. The control group (n = 31) received standard care. Primary outcomes were feeding transition duration and oral feeding efficiency (mL/min). Secondary outcomes included feeding intolerance and duration of nasogastric tube, independent oral feeding, and hospital stay. Data were analyzed using chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS:Exposure to maternal voice recordings shortened the feeding transition period (P < .001), increased oral feeding efficiency (P = .003), reduced feeding intolerance (P = .006), and shortened the duration to independent oral feeding (P < .001). However, no significant differences were observed in nasogastric tube duration, NICU stay, or total hospital days. CONCLUSIONS:Maternal voice exposure improved feeding-related outcomes in preterm infants. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE:Maternal voice recordings represent a safe, low-cost, nursing-led developmental care intervention that can be integrated into routine NICU feeding care.
