Executive summary: standards, competencies, and recommended best practices for infant- and family-centered developmental care in the intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE

Developmental family-centered care is evolving as an essential intensive care practice component for newborns and families. Research supports developmental care and the resulting positive outcomes for infants and families.

STUDY DESIGN

An interprofessional and parent committee utilized a systematic review and consensus process to evaluate the evidence for intensive care practice. Infant- and family-centered developmental care was described, practice components identified, and evidence-based standards and competencies articulated.

RESULTS

Consensus process results included articulation of Standards, Competencies and Recommended Best Practices for Infant and Family Centered Developmental Care (IFCDC), including components of systems thinking, positioning and touch, sleep and arousal, skin-to-skin contact, reduction of pain and stress for infants and families, and feeding.

CONCLUSIONS

Successful IFCDC-recommended practices provide opportunities to integrate the family with the interprofessional team, standardize practice, and improve outcomes.