OVERCOMING DISTANCE: VIRTUAL VISIT OF SIBLINGS IN A NEONATAL ICU IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, several changes were implemented to ensure neonatal care, including restricting access to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to parents only. This study aimed to discuss the possibility of siblings visiting the NICU through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) during the pandemic. The methodology used was a case study, with the participation of two babies admitted to the NICU of a public health unit in Rio de Janeiro. The results showed greater interaction among babies, observed through their body movements and facial expressions in response to visual and auditory stimuli from their siblings, using mobile devices. The visit also allowed the siblings to experience, even remotely, the NICU environment, as they did not expect the new family member to be hospitalized after birth. It was concluded that this type of visit can be used to expand visitation to other family members, such as grandparents, or to those who live far from the hospital. In this way, the virtual visit can function as a health device to facilitate humanization processes, guaranteeing the rights of the baby and his family, even beyond the context of the pandemic.