Neuroprotective Core Measures 1-7: A Developmental Care Journey: Transformations in NICU Design and Caregiving Attitudes

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Mercy Kids Hospital-Springfield (Missouri) recently embarked on a transformational developmental care journey. The catalyst for transformation was the impending construction of a new 48-bed NICU with single-family rooms. The shift to a new design represented the departure from an older, traditional open-bay NICU, which provided an opportunity for honest reflection on both the current neonatal physical environment (NICU), as well as current caregiving-practices. NICU staff verbalized a desire to change not only the physical environment, but wanted to change their culture of caregiving by embarking on a journey toward improved neuroprotective family-centered developmentally supportive care. Utilizing the Neonatal Integrative Developmental Care Model as a framework, Mercy identified specific goals and aim statements within each of the model's seven core measures (Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews. 2013;13:9-22). This manuscript outlines the steps Mercy took to achieve success on each core measure goal and illustrates how physical and cultural transformation can occur within the NICU setting.