The effects of webcams on German neonatal intensive care units - study protocol of a randomised crossover trial (Neo-CamCare).

BACKGROUND: The separation of parents and their prematurely born children during care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can have far-reaching consequences for the well-being of the parents and also of the children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of webcams on NICUs and to conduct a systematic assessment of their possible effects on parents and clinical staff. In addition, it aims at determining the need for webcams  in German NICUs and to identify possible barriers and moderators. The development and evaluation of practical guidance for the use of webcams will enable the comprehensive education of clinical staff and parents and, as a result, is intended to mitigate any potential undesirable consequences. METHODS: The study will be based on a mixed methods approach including all groups concerned in the care. Qualitative data will be collected in interviews and focus groups and evaluated using content analysis. The collection of quantitative data will be based on written questionnaires and will aim to assess the status quo as regards the use of webcams on German NICUs and the effects on parents, physicians, and nursing staff. These effects will be assessed in a randomised cross-over design. Four NICUs will be involved in the study and, in total, the parents of 730 premature babies will be invited to take part in the study. The effects on the nursing staff, such as additional workload and interruptions in workflows, will be evaluated on the basis of observation data. DISCUSSION: This study will be the largest multicentre study known to us that systematically evaluates the use of webcams in neonatal intensive care units. The effects of the  implementation of webcams on both parents and care providers will be considered. The results provide evidence to decide whether to promote the use of webcams on NICUs or not and what to consider when implementing them. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial has been registered at the German Clinical Trial Register (DRKS). Number of registration: DRKS00017755 , date of registration: 25.09.2019.

Increased parental satisfaction by unrestricted visiting hours and developmentally supportive care in NICUs - results of a German multicenter study.

Purpose: This study aims to provide insights into the impact of organizational family-centered care characteristics at German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) on the satisfaction of parents of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.Materials and methods: Using multilevel modeling, this study analyzed whether organizational characteristics of NICUs fostering parent-infant interaction (by way of the existence of a recreation room, possibility of rooming in, existence of unrestricted visiting hours for parents, existence of parental classes, and the connection to parent associations as well as the existence of standards on developmentally supportive care) increase the satisfaction of parents after the infants' high-intensive care phase within the NICU.Results: Nine hundred and twenty-three VLBW infants from 66 NICUs in Germany born between May and October 2013 were enrolled in this multicenter study. We retrieved 1493 questionnaires completed by 1277 parents. The existence of unrestricted visiting hours (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.967; 95% CI [1.118, 3.459]) and standardized procedures for developmentally supportive care (AOR: 1.775; 95% CI [1.166, 2.704]) were positively associated with parental satisfaction.Conclusions: Fostering the parent-infant interaction through the provision of developmentally supportive care and unrestricted visiting hours for parents whose infants are hospitalized within an NICU significantly contributes to the satisfaction of parents.