Transition of premature infants from hospital to home life

To conduct an integrative literature review to studies that focus on the transition of premature infants from neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to home.

A literature search was performed in Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CIN AHL), PubMed, and MEDLINE to identify studies consisting on the transition of premature infants from hospital to home life.

The search yielded seven articles that emphasized the need for home visits, child and family assessment methods, methods of keeping contact with health care providers, educational and support groups, and described the nurse's role in the transition program. The strategy to ease the transition differed in each article.

Home visits by a nurse were a key component by providing education, support, and nursing care. A program therefore should consist of providing parents of premature infants with home visits implemented by a nurse or staying in contact with a nurse (e.g., via videoconference).