Events

This activity is designed for the entire perinatal team: physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and other allied health professionals practicing in the perinatal arena (obstetrics and neonatology) interested in implementing and/or improving the practice Perinatal Palliative Care, both nationally and internationally. Perinatal detection of congenital anomalies leads to the identification of infants who are affected by life-limiting conditions with a short life expectancy. Perinatal palliative care offers a plan for improving quality of life of the infant and the family, when extending the baby’s life is no longer the goal of care. The evidence base for perinatal palliative care continues to grow. However, there is no consensus about best clinical practice in managing pregnancy and delivery of women who elect to continue their pregnancies, and promoting support for the family and comfort for the neonate. Pregnancy and delivery management, and support for the family are achieved through appropriate obstetric care, pre- and postnatal consults, shared decision-making, and advance care planning. A state of comfort for the neonate is achieved when relational basic needs such as bonding, maintenance of body temperature, relief of hunger/thirst, and alleviation of pain/discomfort are met. To address this growing need to support families or the comfort of the neonate, an interdisciplinary team developed a 3-day intensive training, which will include information about the successful experiences of the Neonatal Comfort Care Program in providing perinatal palliative care for over a decade at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Moreover, the course faculty will discuss evidence-based rationale, practical aspects and strategies to provide support for families and achieve a state of comfort for newborns with life-limiting conditions.