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Review
. 2024 Apr-Jun;33(2):94-100.
doi: 10.1097/QMH.0000000000000414. Epub 2023 Jul 24.

Parents' Experiences of Therapeutic Hypothermia for Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Beate Grass  1 , Melanie Erlach, Verena Rathke, Giuditta Cippa, Cornelia Hagmann, Barbara Brotschi
Affiliations
Review

Parents' Experiences of Therapeutic Hypothermia for Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

Beate Grass et al. Qual Manag Health Care. 2024 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Background and objectives: The purpose of the study is to assess parental experiences of therapeutic hypothermia for moderate to severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with the goal of improving local clinical practice guidelines and fostering family-integrated care in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Methods: This single-center retrospective cross-sectional study included neonates and their parents registered in the Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register between 2011 and 2021. Based on a literature review, an anonymous survey of parents of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was developed and conducted using an online survey tool. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey results.

Results: The overall response rate to this survey was 64% (46/72). Sufficient information about hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was reported by 78% (36/46) of parents and sufficient information about the process of therapeutic hypothermia by 87% (40/46) of parents. The majority of parents indicated the need for, and at least a satisfactory perception of, professional (91%; 42/46) and emotional (87%; 40/46) support. Parents identified fostering family involvement and regular family communication that focuses on family integrated care as areas for improvement.

Conclusions: There is still an unmet need for multidisciplinary teams to provide professional, empathetic, high quality, and family-integrated care to families with a neonate receiving therapeutic hypothermia for moderate or severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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