Effect of Shifting From Open Bay to Single-Family Rooms on Closeness in a NICU

To assess the impact of moving from open bay units (OBU) to single-family rooms (SFR) on parental closeness in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

This observational longitudinal cohort study was conducted between February 2021 and January 2024, during which time the setting changed from OBU to SFR with a mixed phase in between. All parent-infant dyads were eligible for inclusion. The self-reported time present in the unit, lap holding, and skin-to-skin care (SSC) were used to measure parental closeness.

833 dyads of parents and infants were included (365 OBU, 140 mixed, 328 SFR phase). Parental presence increased for mothers from 210 min/day in the OBU to 420 min/day (p = 0.000) in the SFR, and for partners from 180 to 360 min/day (p < 0.001). Only for mothers, lap holding time increased from 100 min/day in the OBU to 120 min/day in the SFR phase (p = 0.046). SSC increased from 120 to 160 min/day (p = 0.002) for mothers and from 110 to 130 min/day (p = 0.004) for partners. These findings were independent of gestational age.

Moving from an OBU to SFR setting increased parental closeness in the NICU. However, more changes are needed to meet the EFCNI and WHO recommendations.