The Impact of Neonatal Nursery Design on Nurse-Parent Communication

• In Event: Adolescents, Family, Aging: High Density Panel in Health Communication

Abstract

The birth of a preterm infant and subsequent hospitalization has been identified as a highly stressful experience. Thus, there is a need for specialised support (Davis, et al., 2003), which nurses are best positioned to provide. Evidence suggests supportive nurse communication enables mothers to assume responsibility for caring for their infant, assisting in the transition to parenthood, as well as reducing depression and anxiety. There has been a move to single family room nurseries, however, research has not examined how nursery design affects nurse parent communication. This study surveyed and interviewed both parents and nurses about their perceptions of nurse parent communication in 2 different designs of nurseries, open bay (OB) and single family rooms (SFR). While the SFR design was beneficial for parenting the negative impact on nurse-parent communication found in this study needs to be addressed.

Authors

• Liz Jones, Griffith U

• Kathryn Peters, Griffith U