A Revolutionary Approach for Caring for Newborns With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Abstract

The worsening opioid epidemic, fueled by prescription opiate abuse and the low cost of heroin, has caused a surge in the number of newborns treated for neonatal abstinence syndrome. The main purpose is to share how this hospital’s nurses, physician, and community leadership partnered to change the care delivery to our most fragile patients. The proposed changes, which are supported by the literature, include using nonpharmacologic therapy with clustered supportive care. Care is a team approach, and parents are included every step of the way. Implementation of our new model for our family care unit (FCU) at Women & Infants Hospital provides the mother–newborn dyad a private room to foster bonding within a supportive, nurturing environment. The unit tracks patients’ total exposure to morphine, number of dosing escalations, length of stay, and level of maternal involvement. Since the establishment of this care model, data collection has revealed positive outcomes for the mother–newborn dyad. Average patient stay has decreased from 22.4 days to 17.5 days. Women & Infants Hospital continues to evaluate using length of stay and total morphine dosing. Nonpharmacologic therapy for neonatal abstinence syndrome has many implications for nursing practice. Rooming-in after the mother has been discharged has a positive effect on the family. By having the mother present, the nurse has an opportunity to provide education for her through music therapy, reading, and touch, which lead to positive outcomes.