Neonatal Family-Centered Care in a Pandemic

Family-centered care (FCC) has become the normative practice in Neonatal ICUs across North America. Over the past 25 years, it has grown to impact clinician-parent collaborations broadly within children’s hospitals as well as in the NICU and shaped their very culture. In the current COVID-19 pandemic, the gains made over the past decades have been challenged by “visitor” policies that have been implemented, making it difficult in many instances for more than one parent to be present and truly incorporated as members of their baby’s team. Difficult access, interrupted bonding, and confusing messaging and information about what to expect for their newborn can still cause them stress. Similarly, NICU staff have experienced moral distress. In this perspective piece, we review those characteristics of FCC that have been disrupted or lost, and the many facets of rebuilding that are presently required.