Parental visiting, communication, and participation in ethical decisions: a comparison of neonatal unit policies in Europe

Aim-To compare neonatal intensive care unit policies towards parents' visit ing, information, and participation in ethical decisions across eight Europ ean countries. Methods-One hundred and twenty three units, selected by random or exhaustiv e sampling, were recruited, with an overall response rate of 87%. Results-Proportions of units allowing unrestricted parental visiting ranged from 11% in Spain to 100% in Great Britain, Luxembourg and Sweden, and tho se explicitly involving parents in decisions from 19% in Italy to 89% in Gr eat Britain. Policies concerning information also varied. Conclusions-These variations cannot be explained by differences in unit cha racteristics, such as level, size, and availability of resources. As the im portance of parental participation in the care of their babies is increasin gly being recognised, these findings have implications for neonatal intensi ve care organisation and policy.