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Neonatal nursing in the COVID-19 pandemic: can we improve the future?
Maria Teresa Montes1,2,3,4, Nuria Herranz-Rubia5,6,4,
1RN, PNN, Department of Neonatology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Paseo de La Castellana, 261, 28046, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated changes in neonatal units, impacting care for newborns and families. Reflection is needed to ensure high-quality, family-centered neurodevelopmental care continues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Public health emergencies
- Infectious disease outbreaks
Background:
- The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic presented a significant global public health challenge.
- Neonatal units implemented contingency plans to safeguard hospitalized neonates, families, and healthcare professionals.
- Established frameworks for neonatal care, emphasizing neurodevelopment and family-centered approaches, were altered.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the changes in neonatal units during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To examine the impact of these changes on neonatal care and families.
- To stimulate critical reflection on nursing practices in neonatal settings.
Main Methods:
- This is a reflective column, not an empirical study.
- Analysis of changes in neonatal unit protocols and care delivery.
- Discussion of the implications for family-centered care and neurodevelopmental support.
Main Results:
- Neonatal units adapted care models to mitigate COVID-19 risks.
- Alterations in care potentially affected the delivery of family-centered and neurodevelopmental support.
- Uncertainty regarding future outbreaks necessitates ongoing evaluation of strategies.
Conclusions:
- The pandemic prompted significant, potentially lasting, changes in neonatal care delivery.
- There is a need to re-evaluate and preserve the quality of care, rights, and family-centered practices in neonatal units.
- Critical reflection on nursing practice is essential for optimizing care during and after public health emergencies.
Abstract:
The current 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is the world's largest and most pervasive public health emergency in more than one hundred years. Although neonatal units have not been at the epicentre of the current health crisis, they have also been forced to adopt contingency plans with the aim of protecting hospitalised neonates, their families, and professionals. Neonatal units have been forced to alter the neonatal care framework based on promoting neurodevelopment and family-centred care. The peak of the pandemic is falling in most countries, but COVID-19 infection is not eradicated and there is uncertainty about new outbreaks. It is time to reflect about better strategies to preserve the rights and excellence of care for newborns and their families. This column will highlight the changes that have occurred in neonatal units, and their impact on neonatal care and families. It is a time for critical reflection on nursing practice.
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