Quality of Care in the NICU Depending on Race

Abstract

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a unit in the hospital for babies who need intensive medical care. The NICU has specialized technology and trained staff to take care of these infants (Stanford Children's Health, 2022). Even while NICU patients are receiving specialized care, racial disparities persist. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Non-Hispanic blacks/African Americans have 2.3 times the infant mortality rate as non-Hispanic whites” (2021). Poor health outcomes for African American neonates compared to Caucasian neonates have been a long standing issue. Regardless of a patient's race, quality of care should be the highest it can be in order to minimize avoidable adverse health outcomes. Looking into the care of NICU patients can provide a glimpse at the quality of care between different races and where racial disparities might exist. According to Howard Law, “Racial disparity refers to the imbalances and incongruities between the treatment of racial groups, including economic status, income, housing options, societal treatment, safety, and myriad other aspects” (2021). The purpose of this Evidence-Based Practice review is to dig deeper into racial disparities that exist within the field of healthcare. This information can be used to help decrease the inequality of NICU patients and improve their quality of care. Assisting with better care would increase patient satisfaction as well as safety and equality for all races. Nurses and healthcare personnel can use this information to advocate and promote better quality of care for neonates of minority groups.