MITERA Hospital is leading the way with the training of its staff Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in developmental care centered on the infant and the family, making the NICU the first in Greece to implement the NeuBriC program.

Infant- and family-centered developmental care is a descriptive term for a newborn care framework that incorporates theories and concepts of neurodevelopment, neurobehavioral, parent-infant interaction, parental involvement, breastfeeding promotion, environmental adaptation and change of hospital systems as well as being an innovative approach that reduces the mental and emotional trauma for families.

The NeuBriC is an interdisciplinary program for the training of ICU staff based on trauma informed care. It has been developed in collaboration with the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn Infants (EFCNI) and according to the European Standards of Care for Newborn Health (ESCNH). The program covers the full spectrum of family-centered neurodevelopmental care for premature infants during their hospitalization and first six months of life.

After the end of the training, the director of the NeuBriC program, neonatology-pediatric physiotherapist NDT, NIDCAP professional etc. Pani Pantelidisand the scientific coordination manager Ms. Eleni Vavourakia member of the ESCNH Central Committee and a member of the EFCNI Parent Advisory Committee, emphasized: “All the staff of MENN participated with dedication and tireless enthusiasm, showing their dedication to upgrading the care of newborns and their families.”

The directors of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of MITERA Ms. Stamatina Leontiadis and Mr. George Mavrogeorgos they stated:

“The family-centered neurodevelopmental care of the newborn is the only way in a modern neonatal intensive care unit, such as the NICU of the MITERA hospital, which has been pioneering for 44 years. Prematurity is associated with trauma and subsequent challenges at ICU discharge. This new model of care helps reduce parents’ stress and empowers their parenting role, offering better neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants.”

Finally, the heads of the MENN, Ms. Gregory Bakola & Mr. Georgia Mysirlakis they noted: “The NICU staff is excited about this training experience aimed at holistic infant and family care, with the ultimate goal of reducing parental trauma and optimal newborn development.”