Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG154/1

Question

What are the information and support needs of parents and carers with babies on parenteral nutrition?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

There was no evidence so the committee used their knowledge and experience to make the recommendations.

Good nutrition underpins good neonatal care, so the committee agreed that giving parents and carers information about parenteral nutrition is important.

The committee recognised that having a baby in a neonatal unit is a challenging and stressful situation, and agreed that the best approach to working with parents and carers is a collaborative one. This should involve giving parents and carers information tailored to their needs, and helping them to feel involved in their baby's care.

The committee noted that principles of good information sharing and communication, as well as encouraging shared decision making, are covered in the NICE clinical guideline on patient experience in adult NHS services.

Given that there was no evidence, the committee made a recommendation for further research. This is important because having a baby in a neonatal unit can be a stressful and difficult time for parents and carers. Information and support can help parents manage these circumstances and help them feel involved and part of their baby's care, which can improve outcomes. Given that the number of babies needing parenteral nutrition is likely to increase as prematurity survival rates improve, understanding what information and support parents need will help to support good outcomes.

How the recommendations might affect practice
The committee agreed there is variation in practice. These recommendations should improve consistency in how healthcare professionals support parents and carers, and ensure that they are given timely, consistent and appropriate information about parenteral nutrition.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review I: information and support.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Neonatal parenteral nutrition

Number

NG154

Date issued

February 2020

Other details