Purpose for the program: THis community-based program is designed to enhance parent's competence and confidence as a care-giver following their infant's discharge from the NICU

Proposed change: By enhancing parent confidence and competence this program will enhance infant well-being, parent well-being and overall family well-being.    The program also have the potential to decrease the us of healthcare resources, such as 911 calls, ER visits and hospital re-admission.

Implementation, outcomes and evaluation: The program is conducted in the apartment for care-giver education and uses a Preemie high-fidelity simulator.  The specific activities are adapted to the anticipated discharge needs of the infant.  The program accepts referrals from all the NICUs in the county as from the Health Department.  The program began accepting referrals in January 2011.  To date the evaluation of parents and staff has been overwhelmingly positive and the funding has been extended for a second year.  Data is being collected on the specific outcomes of parent confidence and competence as a care-giver as well as on infant un-scheduled use of health care resources.

Implications for nursing practice: The use of high-fidelity simulators may have a significant role in the process of discharge teaching in the NICU.

Keywords: NICU discharge, simulation, caregiver competence