Implementing the Eat, Sleep, Console Approach for Infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Newborn Opioid-Exposure and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) has become a prevalent problem, particularly in Tennessee. Often a result of maternal opioid use during the antenatal period, NAS creates challenges to the growth and development of children that persist far beyond their initial exposure. The current management protocol, the Finnegan Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (FNASS), has been shown to be ineffective due to its subjectivity. FNASS often leads to unnecessary pharmacologic treatments, resulting in lengthy hospitalizations, heavy financial burden, and further opioid exposure. The literature supports an improved approach to the care of NAS infants and families during hospitalization. A novel approach, The Eat, Sleep, Console Approach, has recently been considered the superior protocol for this population, according to several experts. It has been shown to improve neonatal outcomes, reduce pharmacotherapy rates and length of stay, and improve parental participation and satisfaction with care, by utilizing the parent as a first-line treatment for their infant. Therefore, the aim of this scholarly project was to implement this new paradigm within two hospitals in Nashville, TN. The outcomes measured in this evidence-based practice project included rates of morphine use, length of stay, and maternal satisfaction; in addition, RN education scores were obtained regarding the ESC Approach in the care of the opioid-exposed newborn. Overall, ESC offers a sustainable solution to the hospitalized treatment of NAS infants and families to improve outcomes for neonates despite opioid exposure and withdrawal.