The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Jan 2006
ReviewExtending palliative care into pregnancy and the immediate newborn period: state of the practice of perinatal palliative care.
Many infants die immediately prior to birth or in the neonatal period; thus, it is imperative that we begin to recognize the importance of integrating palliative care into pregnancy and the immediate newborn period. While advances in perinatal care have changed the decisions parents face when they receive a diagnosis of a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, the importance of perinatal palliative care has only recently been recognized as a viable option for care. ⋯ This article provides a brief overview of perinatal palliative care, with a focus on who may benefit, the goals of care, and what services are provided. There is also a review of current palliative care programs and a discussion of how nurses can become more involved in this much-needed area of infant care.
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Family-centered care is a philosophy of care that embraces a partnership between staff and families. Families, patients, and staff benefit in a family-centered care environment and the design of the newborn intensive care unit (NICU) must not interfere with its successful implementation. Unrestricted parental presence in the NICU, parental involvement in infant caregiving, and open communication with parents are basic tenets of family-centered care. By virtue of their continual presence and role in the NICU, nurses are in a unique position to support family-centered care.
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Jan 2006
ReviewState of the science: procedural pain management in the neonate.
Neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit experience painful procedures. Over the last 10 years, investigators have examined several pharmacologic and nonpharmacolgic treatment strategies to decrease or eliminate the pain associated with mechanical ventilation, endotrachial intubation, insertion of percutaneous or central venous lines, heel stick, and venipuncture. These procedures and others are addressed as well as the reported severity of pain associated with these procedures. Progress has been made in the past decade to establish evidence-based treatments that will help the clinician more effectively relieve neonatal stress and pain when performing many routine procedures.