Discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit and care at home: an integrative literature review

Abstract

AIM: to describe the state of the art of knowledge relative to family experiences with NICU discharge and post-discharge of low birth weight and preterm infants. METHOD: Integrative review of studies indexed in the following online libraries: Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Latin-American and Caribbean System on Health Sciences Information and Medical Literature and Retrieval System On Line, using the descriptors: neonatal intensive care, parents, patient discharge; prematurity and family. RESULTS: Four themes composed these findings: influences of the neonatal intensive care unit; difficulties with feeding; daily care at home: insecurity and vigilance; family support. CONCLUSION: The family presented low security and autonomy for care at home, and the interactions with professionals encourage these feelings.