This video was made to help you be part of your baby's NICU bedside rounds.

Rounds is when you and members of your baby's healthcare team get together to discuss your baby's journey and to plan care.

Rounds may not always look the same but as parents, you are always invited to participate.  

Parents decide if and when to be present for rounds. Every day may be different.

Parents can be present for rounds in-person or virtually, or one parent can be in-person and the other joins virtually. The healthcare team can guide you.

As 1 mom said: [Parent voice]: I usually participate in Zoom rounds as I visit in the afternoon. I enjoy being able to ask any questions I have and being able to hear the info firsthand. The nurses and doctors are wonderful at making me feel welcome during rounds.

When you can be present for rounds, here are some examples of how you can participate:

You can choose to be present and listen.

You can ask questions and bring up concerns at any time.

You can ask a member of the healthcare team to ask questions for you.

You can share information about your baby in a way that is meaningful to you. We don't expect you to give a medical report of your baby's progress.

To help you organize your thoughts for rounds, you can use the Alberta FICare Parent Journal, your own journal, or the bedside whiteboard.

If you are concerned about sharing sensitive information during rounds, talk to your baby's healthcare team.

Parents have told us that participating in rounds can be overwhelming at first but gets easier with time and is extremely valuable.

Here is an example of what rounds might look like.

A member of your baby's healthcare team will help you prepare and let you know the approximate time for rounds.

[Healthcare provider]: Good morning. How are you guys today?

[Parent 1]: Good.

[Healthcare provider]: Good. Rounds is going to be at 10 o'clock today. Are you guys going to be around for that?

[Parents]: Yeah. Yeah, we'll be here for sure.

[Healthcare provider]: Perfect. Would you like to introduce your little girl for rounds? And talk about her? Where she's at?

[Parents]: Yeah. Yeah, of course.

[Healthcare provider]: Awesome. Any questions you want to chat about before we get into rounds?

[Parent 1]: Ah, I don't know if there's anything particular.

[Parent 2]: Not anything specific.

The healthcare providers who are taking part in rounds will introduce themselves by their name, occupation, and duty, or what we call NOD.

If you don't know a member of the team, you can ask them to introduce themselves.

[Healthcare provider]: Hi. My name is Nancy. I'm a dietitian on the unit and my role is to help support your baby's growth and nutrition.

Your baby's healthcare team will invite you to share information about your baby, ask any questions, and share concerns.

[Healthcare provider]: So I understand that you're planning to introduce Evan for us today and describe a little bit about her progress.

[Parent 1]: Yeah.

[Healthcare provider]: OK. So who wants to?

[Parent 2]: Would you like to?

[Parent 1]: Yeah, I'll do it. OK. So Evan was born at 24 and 3. She's now 2 days adjusted. Or 40 and 2. She stopped caffeine this morning.

A member of the healthcare team may add additional information about your baby and summarize the plan of care.

After rounds, if you have more questions or need to clarify anything, ask your healthcare provider.

[Healthcare provider]: How do you think rounds went today?

[Parents]: Good.​​

[Parent 1]: We didn't really have any follow-up questions or anything.

If you are unable to attend rounds, your healthcare provider can update you or you can call the unit for an update.

In summary, you decide if and when to be present.

You decide how to participate in rounds. Every day may be different.

You can share information about your baby in a way that is meaningful to you.

You may ask questions and share concerns with your baby's healthcare team.

This is what parents had to say about participating in rounds.

[Parent voice]: At first it was overwhelming and emotional, but as the days went on it was good to hear the information from the doctor, nurses, and the rest of ​the team.

[Parent voice]: It was very positive and helpful. Makes me feel that I am part of discussions and plans or treatments for my child.​