Kangaroo Care: An Underutilized Tool in Neonatal Intensive Care

Abstract

By Hannah Dion, Nursing; Ashley Weber, University of Cincinnati; Emma Close, Case Western University; Qutaibah Oudat, University of Cincinnati

Advisor: Ashley Weber

Presentation ID: 30

Abstract: Background: Decades of research support KC benefits, including infant physiologic stability, parent mental health, bonding, and improved lactation and breastfeeding outcomes. Research also documents KC barriers, including clinician time, parent willingness, infant "stability", lack of policies/procedures/training, and safety concerns, such as dislodging devices, falls, and extubation. Purpose: This study aims to assess the common barriers to long durations of KC and evaluate the use of assistive KC devices in neonatal units in the United States. Methods: A secondary data analysis using a de-identified dataset of a larger survey of clinicians' opinion and practices of KC. Descriptive and summary statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, were used to quantify the data. Results: This study revealed barriers to long-term implementation of KC, including policies preventing sleep, policies preventing breastfeeding, and no standard provision of KC devices. Clinicians reported increased safety of the infant, increased duration of KC, and increased parent and clinician satisfaction. Implications for practice and research: The use of KC devices can increase comfort and safety, in turn increasing KC duration. Institutions must improve policies and practices to support parent sleep, pumping, and breastfeeding.