14 • 2025 • Developmental Observer A B S T R A C T — N I D C A P T R A I N E R S M E E T I N G 2 0 2 4 Conclusion Our small sample (N=87, average=15 patients/audit & NIDCAP N=7, average - 3.5 patients/audit) and non-statistically significant results are explained by the size of the NICU and we recently followed patients for the NIDCAP advanced practicum for a few months. Despite this small sample, we were able to demonstrate that this project not only improved SSC duration and frequency in our NICU but also that NIDCAP Professional follow-up almost doubled the duration of SSC sessions. Relevance to NIDCAP These findings are relevant to NIDCAP, as they support previ- ous similar findings in France.6 Since parent-infant attachment is at the heart of NIDCAP, the importance of SSC as an essen- tial strategy to foster behavioral cue understanding, co-regula- tion, and the principle of zero-separation cannot be understat- ed. This study demonstrates that we can maximize this strategy with NIDCAP advanced practicum follow-up. References: 1. Coughlin M, DeWolfe T, Fuller K. Quality indicators for developmental care: a trauma informed conceptual model as an exemplar for change. In: Kenner C, McGrath J, editors. Developmental care of newborn and infants: A guide for health care professionals NANN - National Association of Neonatal Nurses. 3rd ed: Wolters Kluwer; p. 65-84.2003, ISBN/ ISSN:9781975148393 2. Conde-Agudelo A, Diaz-Rossello JL. Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birthweight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016, (8):CD002771. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002771.pub4. 3. Darmstadt GL, Kirkwood B, Gupta S, Darmstadt GL, Kirkwood B, Gupta S, et al. WHO Global Position Paper and Implementation Strategy on kangaroo mother care call for fundamental reorganisation of maternal infant care. The Lancet. 2023, 401(10390):1751- 3. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01000-0 4. Pierrat V, Mitha A. Contact peau-à-peau pour le nouveau-né prématuré ou de petit poids de naissance. In: Sizun J, Guillois B, Tscherning C, Kuhn P, Thiriez G, editors. Soisn de développement en période néonatale De la recherche à la pratique. Chapitre 13. 2e Ed. ed: Lavoisier Médecine Sciences; 2022, p. 90-6. ISBN : 978-2-257-20768-5 5. Als H. Theoretical persepective for developmentally supportive care. In: Kenner C, McGrath J, editors. Developmental care of newborn and infants: A guide for health care professionals NANN - National Association of Neonatal Nurses. 3rd ed: Wolters Kluwer; 2022, p. 35-64. ISBN/ISSN: 9781975148393 6. Pierrat V, Coquelin A, Cuttini M, Khoshnood B, Glorieux I, Claris O, et al. (2016). Translating Neurodevelopmental Care Policies Into Practice: The Experience of Neonatal ICUs in France-The EPIPAGE-2 Cohort Study. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 17(10):957-67. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000000914 Aims The neonatal unit at University College London Hospital is the only NIDCAP Training Centre in the United Kingdom. We are committed to improving the collaboration between healthcare professionals and families. In 2023, we identified an opportunity for our multi-disciplinary team to work together to enhance this relationship by launching developmental care ward rounds. Our quality improvement project (QIP) had three main aims: 1. Support parents as key nurturers 2. Provide individualised care plans for infants and their families 3. Ensure that staff feel valued as part of a wider interdisci- plinary team Methods Key members of the neonatal team were identified as stake- holders for this project. These included an occupational thera- pist (NIDCAP trained), physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, psychotherapist, neonatal nurse and neonatal con- sultant with an interest in developmental care. The Plan-Do- Study-Act (PDSA) model was used in project planning and execution. A questionnaire was sent to parents asking them for their views and recommendations. Families were keen to participate and expressed a desire for an opportunity to share what they knew about their baby and to learn more about the different stages of their infant’s development. Regular meet- ings were held to design a poster, parent leaflet and a bedside record sheet which includes an individualised care plan for the infant and family supported by the wider interdisciplinary team. The project was registered as a QIP within maternity services. To ensure a clear and efficient referral and selection process, a standard operating procedure (SOP) was developed and distributed to all staff. Additionally, regular bedside edu- cation and engagement sessions were held with all members of the neonatal team. "This is the best ward round I have ever been a part of": Implementing Developmental Care Ward Rounds in a Tertiary Neonatal Unit in the UK. Sammut A, Lim AM, Jurikova M, Furtado M, Hicks BA. University College London Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, London DOI:10.14434/do.v18i1.40885 2025 • Developmental Observer • 15 A B S T R A C T — N I D C A P T R A I N E R S M E E T I N G 2 0 2 4 Results/ Findings Our developmental care ward rounds were launched in August 2023 and have been running regularly for the past ten months. Two to three families are referred by staff and approached ev- ery alternate week. They are invited to participate and are sup- plied with information about what to expect during the ward round. This gives them time to prepare questions addressed to the interdisciplinary team. Around 40 families have been seen so far. Verbal feedback from families and staff involved has been very positive with some stating that it has been the best meeting they have ever had with professionals since they started their journey with us on the neonatal unit. A formal post-implementation questionnaire is currently being distrib- uted to families and staff involved as part of a research project run by our chief research nurse intern. Conclusion/Relevance to NIDCAP Our developmental care ward rounds focus on providing individualised care to the infants and families on our neonatal unit. They offer parents the opportunity to demonstrate and enhance their role as lifelong nurturers as they lead on discus- sions and care plans for their baby. It has also helped NIDCAP Professionals identify which babies would benefit from a detailed observation. Each bedside record sheet emphasises the infant’s unique behavioural communication and contains information on how to adapt their caregiving environment to make it more suitable to their needs. Moreover, this open com- munication helps build trusting relationships between health professionals and families. Staff involved have commented that it has helped advance their professional and personal growth and increased their job satisfaction. Our commitment to improve ensures that we continue to make a positive impact on families. SPONSOR OF THE NFI Dr. Brown’s Medical delivers valuable feeding solutions that help provide the best possible outcomes for all babies. ISSN: 2689-2650 (online) All published items have a unique document identifier (DOI) The official publication of the NIDCAP Federation International published on-line three times a year. ©2025. The statements and opinions contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not necessarily of the NIDCAP Federation International. Articles from the Developmental Observer, duly acknowledged, may be reprinted with permission. Please contact us at: developmentalobserver@nidcap.org. Contributions We would like to thank all of our individual donors for their generous support of the NFI and its continuing work. Developmental Observer current and past issues from: https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/ Articles are welcome for peer review and may be submitted via the ScholarWorks site or sent directly to the Senior Editor. The submission guidelines are available on the ScholarWorks site. Developmental Observer