Development of high-risk neonatal nurse navigator program

Abstract

Patient navigation is a rapidly developing healthcare profession in low and middle-income countries. Patient navigators assist patients in understanding transitional care, manage follow-up visits, advocate through coordination of care, and empower them with necessary health-related information. With an increasing number of high-risk neonate deliveries each year, it is not feasible for a neonatologist to have regular and continuous interaction with the mothers and family members to explain the infant care process in the neonatal intensive care unit and transitional, home care after discharge. Hence, neonatal nurses are primary caregivers to interact with parents and family members to maintain continuous rapport and communication throughout the neonatal admission, even after discharge till termination of care. Nurse navigators support the mother and neonates to reduce stress by implementing holistic nursing approaches and family-centered care to empower parents to access healthcare benefits and improve overall child health outcomes. The present paper introduces a nurse navigator concept in high-risk neonatal care by adapting a behavioral-ecological framework for examining healthcare navigation and access, along with a systems model of input, throughput, and output. The review highlights the importance, benefits, and challenges of implementing a nurse navigation program and explains the implications for reducing healthcare disparities in high-risk neonatal care.