Evaluation of a complex couplet care intervention in a neonatal intensive care unit: A mixed methods study protocol

ABSTRACT Background Families with an infant in need of intensive care most often experience a harmful separation after birth. This is due to a division of medical specialties into neonatal care and maternal care. Therefore, a couplet care intervention is implemented for mother‐infant dyads in a neonatal intensive care unit. This study protocol provides a comprehensive evaluation of the intervention. The aim is to evaluate the effect and implementation of a complex couplet care intervention to promote zero separation between mother and infant. Methods The couplet care intervention is a family‐centered model of care, where treatment‐requiring mother‐infant dyads will be admitted together and receive couplet care by neonatal nurses. The study adheres to the framework of the Medical Research Council and will use a mixed methods embedded design comprising a quasi‐experimental trial and a qualitative process evaluation. Finally, a health economic evaluation will be conducted to assess the cost‐effectiveness of this complex couplet care intervention. Discussion Separation of mother‐infant dyads after birth has an adverse impact on family health and well‐being. This study protocol evaluates a complex couplet care intervention. With this study, a first step is taken to help bridge the gap between current practices and a new care model to prevent the separation of mothers and their infants