NSW Health identified a need for enhanced communication with families and carers whose babies are admitted to neonatal services, with a focus on embedding virtual care modalities.
The admission and ongoing care of a premature or sick baby in a neonatal service is a stressful event for families. Clear communication and parental or carer participation in all aspects of care decreases their stress and improves the bond between parent/carer and newborn.
Evidence shows that:
- family/carer involvement in care enhances communication with neonatal services staff
- enhanced communication with parents/carers improves the experience for both parents/carers and staff, and improves transition
- virtual care modalities can improve communication between families/carers and neonatal staff
- the suggested approach is principles-based and requires localisation.
Supporting the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
This resource can be used by healthcare services to support several of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards
Clinical Governance Standard
Action 1.12 Incident management and open disclosure
Partnering with Consumers Standard
Partnering with Consumers Standard
Partnering with patients in their own care
Health literacy: Communication that supports effective partnerships
Communicating for Safety Standard
Communicating for Safety Standard
Clinical governance and quality improvement to support effective communication