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Abstract

Through changes in technology and medicine, the population of the intensive care nursery (ICN) has become more acute, along with new challenges for the home care provider. The follow-up care of these infants is multifaceted. They have medical, technical, developmental, financial, and psychosocial issues that affect them as well as their families and community. These issues may become evident in the form of a crisis, postdischarge, or may remain chronic and long term. The home health care nurse is in a unique position to facilitate, report, educate, and provide compassionate care for these infants and their families as well as connect them to their community. This article discusses some of the issues facing the ICN infant and family postdischarge and suggests home care interventions. It is followed by a three-part tool that may be used to assess an infant's ICN course, home assessment, and infant assessment.

Keywords

discharge plan home care,neonatal care neonatal follow- up and n ursing

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Neonatal Follow-Up Care: Implications for Home Health Care

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