Death is inevitable for some neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). When a neonate is admitted to the NICU, the management of the neonate is focused on stabilization and survival, however for many neonates it becomes apparent that, despite all of the tremendous technical capabilities available to manage neonatal illness, treatment becomes futile and death is inevitable. End-of-life care has received very little attention from a research perspective. Empirical evidence is lacking that characterizes the signs and symptoms that the dying neonate exhibits, as well as the treatment strategies that are used. Dying neonates deserve a good death. Whether these neonates are experiencing a good death is unknown. There is compelling evidence that the majority of dying neonates are not medicated during the dying process. The purpose of this project is to determine the signs and symptoms that are commonly exhibited by the neonate during the dying process and the management of strategies used by caregivers. Data will be obtained by abstracting data from the medical records and from structured interviews with neonatal staff nurses who have cared for dying neonates, as well as parents of neonates who have died. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)
Type
Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31)
Project #
1F31NR009460-01A1
Application #
7056272
Study Section
National Institute of Nursing Research Initial Review Group (NRRC)
Program Officer
Bakos, Alexis D
Project Start
2005-11-16
Project End
2009-11-15
Budget Start
2005-11-16
Budget End
2006-11-15
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$33,121
Indirect Cost
Name
Ohio State University
Department
Type
Schools of Nursing
DUNS #
832127323
City
Columbus
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
43210
Fortney, Christine A; Steward, Deborah K (2017) A qualitative study of nurse observations of symptoms in infants at end-of-life in the neonatal intensive care unit. Intensive Crit Care Nurs 40:57-63
Fortney, Christine A; Steward, Deborah K (2015) Medical record documentation and symptom management at the end of life in the NICU. Adv Neonatal Care 15:48-55
Fortney, Christine A; Steward, Deborah K (2014) A new framework to evaluate the quality of a neonatal death. Death Stud 38:294-301