Featured Course: A New Consensus from the National Perinatal Association (NPA): Guidelines for Transitioning From NICU to Home

“Excellent presentation on up-to-date guidelines from NPA for preparing the baby, family, and outpatient caregivers for discharge from NICU to home!” – Anne Marie Nelson, PT, CNT (ret), NTMTC

Course Title:
A New Consensus from the National Perinatal Association (NPA): Guidelines for Transitioning From NICU to Home

Speaker: Cuyler Romeo, MOT, OTR/L, SCFES, IBCLC, NTMTC

Course Description: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends the transition from NICU to home occur when an infant achieves physiologic stability and there is a program for parental involvement and preparation for care of the infant at home¹. Discharge planning also assures that arrangements for outpatient follow-up have been completed and that the family has received the necessary teaching and training required to care for their baby, including competency in sleep safety, feeding, and basic cares². Adequate parent education can reduce the risk of readmission by ensuring that parents seek medical attention appropriately, administer medications and other therapies correctly, and show confidence in the home management of non-acute medical problems³. Still, there has only been limited guidance offered on what the content of a comprehensive discharge planning program for the family should be⁴.

The National Perinatal Association, an interdisciplinary organization of professionals, parents, and advocates who serve as a leading voice in perinatal care, sought to fill the knowledge gap in family support and preparedness. In 2017, the NPA convened a work group to complete an environmental scan, collect and collate existing standards, and complete a literature review of available evidence. In 2019, the NPA hosted a national summit of 16 multidisciplinary experts to review the proposed guidelines, leading to the successful publication of the consensus statement for NICU discharge preparation and transition planning guidelines in the February 2022 issue of the Journal of Perinatology⁵.

This 1-hour presentation will provide learners with a high-level view of the five guideline sections and a roadmap for integration into their own unit. Additionally, learners will be oriented to the NICUtohome.org landing page, a source for the tools and information needed to put the Interdisciplinary Guidelines and Recommendations for NICU Discharge Preparation and Transition Planning into action.

Target Audience: OT, SLP, PT, RN, MD, and Neonatal professionals

CE Credit: 1 hour for PT, OT, SLP

Course Fee: $57 or Free for NANT Members

Level: Intermediate

Objectives

  1. Identify at least three risk factors for readmission or health decline in infants recently discharged from the NICU.
  2. Differentiate between the five impact areas recommended for inclusion in NICU transition planning and discharge preparedness programs.
  3. Identify at least 2 resources for transition planning and discharge preparedness to be integrated into their NICU.

Instructional Method: Lecture, case studies, handouts, recorded question and answer session. Learning assessment and course evaluation follow the course.

“Really appreciate the resources! Hopeful to make some changes within the unit that lead to a smoother planning period for discharge and parents feeling prepared.” – Jessica Walker, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, CBIS

“Great information on how to work as a team to promote discharge home!” – Jenna Rogers, PT, DPT, CNT

Click here to take this course.

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