Transition From the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to Home: A Concept Analysis.

Abstract

Background: A successful transition from the neonatal intensive care unit to home is fundamental for the long-term health and well-being of preterm infants; however, the process parents' experience during their transition home is poorly understood. An improved understanding of this concept will allow nurses to offer families comprehensive and collaborative discharge preparation.

Purpose: To describe the defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences for the concept of transition in the context of the neonatal intensive care unit to home.

Methods: Databases, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were searched for articles containing "transition" in combination with "neonatal intensive care unit" or variants of these terms. The Walker and Avant method was used for this concept analysis.

Results: The defining attributes of transition in the context of the neonatal intensive care unit to home are "mix of emotions," "uncertainty," and "coming into parenthood." The principal antecedent is "hospital discharge preparation" and consequences include "feeding and medical needs," "family life changes," and "parental confidence."

Implications for practice: Gradually increasing parents' participation in their infant's care and forming a partnership and collaborative plan with families will help ease the uncertainty parents experience during their transition home.

Implications for research: Further investigation is needed to determine how best to provide emotional support for parents during their transition home and to explore a feasible option for neonatal nurses to follow up with parents after hospital discharge.