NIDCAP Care Model in NICU: Moving Traditional Newborn Intensive Care Delivery into a Collaborative, Relationship Based Neurodevelopmental Framework

Introduction and Aim: Premature birth places the brain at significant risk for adverse outcome. This paper aimed to introduce NIDCAP as comprehensive NICU care model that deliver care from a neurodevelopmental perspective, and effects it on the outcome for children born preterm.Methods: This article is prepared based on literature review of literature.Results and Content: Results of literature review based on Als’s synactive theory showed that preterm infants are fetuses, who develop in extra-uterine settings at a time when their brains are growing more rapidly than at any other time throughout their life span. The Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) is an individualized developmental approach to support and care based on reading each preterm infant’s behavioral cues, and on formulating of a care plan, which enhances and builds upon the infant’s strengths, and supports the infant in areas of sensitivity and vulnerability (Als and McAnulty 2011& NIDCAP Program Guide, 2018). It is individualized and uses a relationship-based, family-integrated approach that yields measurable outcomes. (NFI Mission Statement, 2017). Individualized developmental care in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) originated in the 1980s by H. Als. NIDCAP fundamentally changes traditional care from task-orientation to relationships. The infant’s behavioral communications form the basis for individualized developmental environment and care planning for infant and family. This means all medical and nursing interventions are timed and adjusted to the sensitivity of each infant. The approach simultaneously provides support for the parents and key members of the care team. The NIDCAP reduces neurodevelopmental NICU sequelae, which was demonstrated in randomized controlled trials.NIDCAP in Iran started when 1st International NIDCAP workshop held in Isfahn University of Medical Sciences with collaboration of Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center. Dr. Hasanpour, PhD in Nursing, introduced NIDCAP Model to the head of Iran neonatal health office and UNICEF in 2013, and then she linked Dr. Als, the founder of the NIDCAP Federation International (NFI), to them. She also scheduled and directed as scientific and international coordinator of first international workshop with title NIDCAP, Palliative and Spiritual care in NICU for National Trainers in IUMS for 40 specialists in different fields, by collaboration and support of National Neonatal Health Office, UNICEF and NFI under supervision and teaching of two international Master and Senior trainers of NIDCAP, Heidelise Als, Harvard Medical School and Dr. Nikk Conneman, Netherlands. Als and Conneman from 2013 to 2016 trained 16 International Certified NIDCAP Professionals specialists in 4 National NIDCAP allocated centers in Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz, by support of Neonatal Health Office and UNICEF.Discussion & Conclusion: NIDCAP is a comprehensive NICU care model that deliver care from a neurodevelopmental perspective, and effects on the outcome for children born preterm. The NIDCAP training program focuses on the education and training of multidisciplinary developmental specialist teams in NICUs. According on findings, NIDCAP comprehensive model of care in NICU need system change and shift from traditional and task-oriented to relationship-oriented approach.

کلیدواژه ها:

NIDCAP ، Developmental Care ، Neurodevelopment ، Preterm Infant ، Prematurity