Respite care use among parents of neonatal intensive care unit graduates

Many infants who are discharged home from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) have specialized needs such as oxygen, monitors, and medications. The purpose of this study was to describe factors related to perceived need for, utilization of, and satisfaction with respite care among parents of NICU graduates. Thirteen mothers of infants who had been discharged from NICU returned the self-administered survey. Eleven of these mothers had received respite care and 2 had not. Sources of respite, purposes for which respite was used, time after hospital discharge when respite was most useful, and perceived benefit of respite were examined. The stress, coping, and adaptation of mothers were assessed. The research findings are discussed in relation to existing literature, and recommendations for practice and further research are suggested.