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Unlock the Secret to Better Outcomes for Preterm Infants: The H-HOPE Intervention

Unlock the Secret to Better Outcomes for Preterm Infants: The H-HOPE Intervention

Introduction

As a speech-language pathologist dedicated to improving outcomes for children, I am thrilled to share insights from a groundbreaking study on the H-HOPE intervention. This evidence-based, parentally administered intervention is designed to enhance the development of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The research protocol, titled "Protocol for implementation of an evidence based parentally administered intervention for preterm infants," highlights the potential of H-HOPE to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.

The Challenge of Preterm Birth

Preterm birth poses significant challenges, including immature organ development, feeding difficulties, and increased healthcare costs. In the United States, preterm births account for only 10-12% of all births but represent over 40% of birth hospitalization costs. Early interventions are crucial to improving outcomes for these infants and their families.

Introducing H-HOPE

H-HOPE, or Hospital to Home: Optimizing the Preterm Infant’s Environment, is a standardized intervention that includes both infant-directed and parent-directed components. The infant-directed component, Massage+, involves multi-sensory stimulation that has been shown to improve feeding, growth, and social interaction skills. The parent-directed component consists of participatory guidance sessions to support parental engagement and confidence.

Implementation Strategy

The study employs the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to guide the implementation of H-HOPE across five NICUs. The CFIR framework identifies facilitators and barriers to successful implementation within five domains: intervention characteristics, outer setting, inner setting, implementers’ individual characteristics, and the implementation process. The study also adds a critical phase of Sustaining to ensure long-term success.

Potential Benefits

Encouraging Further Research

While the H-HOPE intervention shows promise, further research is needed to explore its long-term benefits and potential for widespread adoption. Practitioners are encouraged to consider how they can integrate evidence-based interventions like H-HOPE into their practice to improve outcomes for preterm infants and their families.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Protocol for implementation of an evidence based parentally administered intervention for preterm infants.


Citation: White-Traut, R., Brandon, D., Kavanaugh, K., Gralton, K., Pan, W., Myers, E. R., Andrews, B., Msall, M., & Norr, K. F. (2021). Protocol for implementation of an evidence based parentally administered intervention for preterm infants. BMC Pediatrics, 21, 142. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02596-1
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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