340 - Nurse and Family Satisfaction with a Bedside Communication Tool for Spanish-Preferred Families

Poster Number: 340
Publication Number: 340.1739

Background: Families who prefer languages other than English have been reported to experience low rates of family engagement in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), such as less kangaroo care. Certified interpreters remain an underutilized resource despite language barriers. Communication aids such as language cards (pictorial and bilingual communication assistance tools) may help in the presence of language discordance.

Objective: The study purpose was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a Spanish language card in the NICU and assess nurse and family satisfaction.

Design/Methods: In this pilot observational cohort study, introduction of the Spanish language card (Figure 1) occurred in August 2022 in two NICUs (one level III and one level IV NICU) in Oregon. Families and nursing staff were surveyed on the use or expected utility of the language card. Surveys were optional and distributed to Spanish-preferring families from August 2022 to July 2023, and to all nurses (n=160) in July 2023. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results: 66 of 160 nurses completed the survey and of those, 48% (n=32) had used the language card during infant care times. Overall, among nurses who used the language card, most were satisfied with the card (Table 1). Of the nurses who had not yet used the language card (n=34), the majority agreed (85%) the language card could lead to improved family engagement. A total of 21 Spanish-preferring family members completed the survey. Most family respondents reported the language card was easy to use and helped them know what they could do to help care for their infant during NICU admission (Table 2). Some respondents reported that the use of the language card limited their ability to speak to the nurse or they were unable to ask a question because they were only using the language card. However, all reported receiving updates from their nurses with an interpreter. Overall, Spanish-preferring family members were satisfied with the language card.

Conclusion(s): In this pilot study, we show that infant care language cards can function as an easily implemented communication assistance tool in the NICU in the setting of nurse-family language discordance. Initial family impressions reveal that the language card increased family awareness of the opportunities for involvement in their infant’s care, highlighting a potential means to reduce inequities in family engagement.