Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to implement HIPPA protected video calling during daily rounds in the NICU to increase parent engagement and promote patient- and family-centered care.|Background: When NICU parents can be present at rounds, there is increased provider communication, a heightened perception of compassion and trust in the provider-parent relationship, and an overall improvement in a parent’s understanding of their child’s illness and subsequent needs (Abel-Latif et al., 2015). Virtual rounds and the utilization of technology is one avenue to successfully and safely overcome the barriers parents face so they can be back at the bedside and engaged in their child’s care (Flood, 2018).|Sample/Setting: The setting was a 44-bed Level IV NICU at Children’s Minnesota – Minneapolis Campus. The sample included seven families; however, two dropped out, and four neonatologists. The sample included parents who volunteered to participate, and the rounding neonatologists scheduled during the project duration.|Methods: This was an evidence-based practice project where parents and providers were surveyed pre-and post-implementation on multiple discussion points via a Likert survey. Daily attendance at rounds was also recorded.|Results: Daily parental attendance increased from 27% to 62% with virtual rounding. Additionally, parental perception of the parent-provider communication increased by 10%, overall parental satisfaction with the rounding experience increased by 10%, and overall satisfaction with the NICU experience increased by 20%. From the provider's (n=4) viewpoint, parental engagement during rounds increased by 20%. When looking at the long-term solutions to the rounding model, 100% (n=4) of providers agreed that virtual rounding did not create a barrier to the efficiency of rounds.|Conclusion: Providing parents with alternative options for participating in daily rounds is beneficial and necessary. Utilizing technology and telehealth applications is one way to overcome barriers stopping parents from being at the bedside.