Palliative Care for Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review

Title

Palliative Care for Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review

Creator

Kim ES; Kim S; Ahn SY; Lee H

Publisher

Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing

Date

2024

Subject

hospice care; nursing care; child parent relation; human; infant; Infant; Infant Newborn; Intensive Care Units; neonatal intensive care unit; newborn; Palliative Care; palliative therapy; psychology

Description

This scoping review aimed to explore the characteristics of neonatal palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit, including the features, contents, and experiences of infants, parents, and nurses during palliative care. Five databases (PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, Research Information Sharing Service, and Korean Studies Information Service System) were searched to identify relevant articles published between 2011 and 2020. From the systematic search and review process, 13 studies that met the eligibility criteria were selected for the analysis. From the literature review, 2 key principles were found to facilitate neonatal palliative care: family-centered care and integrative care in the neonatal intensive care unit. In addition, the themes found in this review included (1) providing comfortable care to dying infants with respect to infants and offering parents choices, (2) therapeutic communication, (3) support with respect, and (4) bereavement care for parents of dying infants in the neonatal intensive care unit. Caregivers require effective communication, manpower support, emotional support, educational programs, and well-defined protocols. The evidence mapped and synthesized in this review indicates the need to facilitate the provision of palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit in line with the unique needs of infants, parents, and nurses.

Rights

Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).

Citation List Month

March List 2024

Collection

Citation

Kim ES; Kim S; Ahn SY; Lee H, “Palliative Care for Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Scoping Review,” Pediatric Palliative Care Library, accessed April 27, 2024, https://pedpalascnetlibrary.omeka.net/items/show/19520.