Palliative/end-of-life care in the newborn intensive care unit

This descriptive study determined the presence of palliative/end-of-life care protocols in two newborn intensive care units (NICUs). The study also explored the experiences and attitudes of NICU registered nurses (RNs) and neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs) in providing care to infants at the end of life. This study served as a basis for exploring the current practices and attitudes of RNs and NNPs about neonatal end-of-life care. There was an absence of palliative/end-of-life care protocols in both NICUs in this study. The majority of respondents indicated that they thought the addition of a neonatal palliative/end-of-life care protocol would be helpful to them in providing care to infants and their families. Several common themes regarding RN and NNP perceptions of skills, concerns, and rewards in providing neonatal palliative/end-of-life care were found.