Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome/Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: An Ecological View of Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Feeding Success.

The number of infants diagnosed with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) or neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) has increased. The expression of NAS/NOWS symptoms differs and typically begins within the first few days of life, considered a critical period for feeding skill establishment, nourishment, and attachment. Non-pharmacologic interventions may be deployed to reduce or eliminate the need for replacement opioids while targeting outcomes like feeding dysfunction.

Parents' Perspectives: An Expanded View of Occupational and Co-Occupational Performance in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Importance: One limitation of occupation-based neonatal practice is the lack of clarity surrounding what parent and infant occupations exist in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Without clear definitions and examples of these constructs, occupational therapists may not recognize or value them as part of practice.

Objective: To explore concepts of occupational and co-occupational performance in the NICU and provide richly expanded descriptions of parent and infant occupations in this setting.

Evidence-Based Practice in the Hospital Setting: Views of Interdisciplinary Therapy Practitioners.

Background: In the United States' changing health care climate, an updated picture of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the hospital setting is needed. Researchers explored EBP activities that interdisciplinary therapy team members used most frequently to acquire and appraise clinical evidence, therapists' perceptions of EBP, and barriers and enablers to EBP implementation within two similar acute-care hospitals in the Midwest.

Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to 190 therapy practitioners working in two acute-care hospital settings.

Wilderness Preparticipation Evaluation and Considerations for Special Populations.

Children, older adults, disabled and special needs athletes, and female athletes who participate in outdoor and wilderness sports and activities each face unique risks. For children and adolescents traveling to high altitude, the preparticipation physical evaluation should focus on risk assessment, prevention strategies, early recognition of altitude-related symptoms, management plans, and appropriate follow-up. As the risk and prevalence of chronic disease increases with age, both older patients and providers need to be aware of disease and medication-specific risks relative to wilderness sport and activity participation.

Wilderness Preparticipation Evaluation and Considerations for Special Populations.

Children, older adults, disabled and special needs athletes, and female athletes who participate in outdoor and wilderness sports and activities each face unique risks. For children and adolescents traveling to high altitude, the preparticipation physical evaluation should focus on risk assessment, prevention strategies, early recognition of altitude-related symptoms, management plans, and appropriate follow-up. As the risk and prevalence of chronic disease increases with age, both older patients and providers need to be aware of disease and medication-specific risks relative to wilderness sport and activity participation.