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Background: Family-integrated care (FICare) is an innovative model of care developed at Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada, to better integrate parents into the team caring for their infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The effects of FICare on neonatal outcomes and parental anxiety were assessed in an international multicenter randomized trial. As an Australian regional level 3 NICU that was randomized to the intervention group, we aimed to explore parent and staff perceptions of the FICare program in our dual occupancy NICU. Subjects and Design: This qualitative study took place in a level 3 NICU with 5 parent participants and 8 staff participants, using a post implementation review design. Methods: Parents and staff perceptions of FICare were explored through focus group methodology. Thematic content analysis was done on focus group transcripts. Results: Parents and staff perceived the FICare program to have had a positive impact on parental confidence and role attainment and thought that FICare improved parent-to-parent and parent-to-staff communication. Staff reported that nurses working with families in the program performed less hands-on care and spent more time educating and supporting parents. Implications for Practice: FICare may change current NICU practice through integrating and accepting parents as active members of the infant's care team. In addition, nurse's roles may transition from bedside carer to care coordinator, educating and supporting parents during their journey through the NICU. Implications for Research: Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of FICare on neonates, parents, and staff.

The sedative effects of intranasal midazolam and dexmedetomidine were evaluated in 2 tortoise species as a means to facilitate handling and performing diagnostic procedures. Six red-footed tortoises ( Chelonoidis carbonaria ) and 6 Indian star tortoises ( Geochelone platynota ) received the following treatments in a randomized order with 2-week washout periods between the treatments: midazolam (0.5 and 1.5mg/kg), dexmedetomidine (0.05 and 0.15mg/kg), and saline control. Tortoises were evaluated and scored for sedation (using a previously published subjective method) by blinded observers, and results were averaged for each species and treatment group. Low-dose dexmedetomidine (0.05mg/kg) in red-footed tortoises resulted in a significantly higher median sedation score at 5 minutes compared with other treatments. Control saline resulted in a higher median sedation score 5 minutes after administration in Indian star tortoises compared with red-footed tortoises. No other significant differences were observed between treatments or between species. The results suggest that intranasal administration of midazolam or dexmedetomidine, at the dosages used in this study, do not provide effective sedation in red-footed tortoises or Indian star tortoises, based on a subjective scoring system.