eISSN 2097-6046
ISSN 2096-7446
CN 10-1655/R
Responsible Institution:China Association for Science and Technology
Sponsor:Chinese Nursing Association

Chinese Journal of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing ›› 2026, Vol. 7 ›› Issue (3): 286-293.doi: 10.3761/j.issn.2096-7446.2026.03.005

• Special Planning—Intelligent and Digital Nursing Innovation and Application • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The development and application of information-based discharge preparation platform for caregivers of very low birth weight infants in NICU

BIAN Liping(), WANG Caoyuan*(), REN Yimei   

  1. NICUthe First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, China
  • Received:2025-04-09 Online:2026-03-10 Published:2026-03-02
  • Contact: *WANG Caoyuan,E-mail:1621362717@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    2022-2023 Nursing Research Project of Chinese Medical Association Publishing House(CMAPH-NRP2022015)

Abstract:

Objective To develop and assess an information-based discharge preparation platform for caregivers of very low birth weight infants(VLBWI) in the NICU.Methods Guided by family empowerment theory,a multifunctional,user-friendly platform was created through literature review,user needs analysis,and Delphi consultation. Sixty-two VLBWI and their caregivers in a tertiary NICU in Jiangsu Province(January-October 2024) were randomly assigned to an experimental group(n=31) and a control group(n=31). The experimental group received information-based discharge services,while the control group received standard care. Outcomes included caregiver readiness,caregiving ability,stress,satisfaction,infant growth,breastfeeding rate,feeding intolerance,neurological development,hospital stay,cost,and unplanned readmissions.Results Significant time and intergroup effects(P<0.05) were observed in caregiver discharge readiness,caregiving ability,stress,infant weight,height,breastfeeding rate,and feeding intolerance among different time points,but there was no significant inter group effect on head circumference(P>0.05). Simple effects analysis revealed significant differences(P<0.05) in discharge readiness,caregiving ability,stress level,satisfaction,weight,height,breastfeeding rate,feeding intolerance incidence,and behavioral neurological score between the two groups.No significant difference was found in head circumference(P>0.05). The experimental group had lower unplanned readmission rates(P<0.05),but no significant differences were observed in hospital stay length or costs(P>0.05).Conclusion The information-based platform improves caregiver readiness,caregiving ability,and satisfaction,reduces stress,enhances infant growth,and optimizes medical resource use.

Key words: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Very Low Birth Weight Infant, Discharge Planning, Informatization Platform