Module 5: Create a Home-Like Space

Course Overview

This module focuses on transforming clinical environments to feel more comforting, familiar, and supportive for birthing parents, infants, and families impacted by substance use disorder (SUD). Learners will explore the importance of rooming-in, parental presence, and environmental design principles, such as low stimulation, privacy, and adequate furniture, to promote infant comfort and caregiver involvement. The module highlights practical strategies for reducing the clinical feel of hospital spaces, providing family-friendly amenities, and applying flexible solutions across diverse settings. By the end of this module, participants will be equipped to create home-like spaces that support bonding, feeding, and healing for all families.

Course Objectives

Design Supportive Clinical Environments. Create and adapt clinicals paces to feel more comforting, familiar, and supportive for birthing parents, infants, and families impacted by SUD.
Align Environment With the Paradigm of Kindness. Identify how environmental features enable or constrain implementation and make practical modifications that promote infant comfort and caregiver involvement.
Apply Flexible Solutions Across Diverse Settings. Use realistic, adaptable approaches to enhance comfort and autonomy, even in units with limited space or NICU-specific constraints.

Target Audience

All clinical staff working with perinatal patients and infants.

Faculty

Mellie Ryan

Disclosure

Mellie Ryan discloses no such relationships exist

In compliance with the Essentials and Standards of the ACCME, the author of this CME tutorial is required to disclose any significant financial or other relationships they may have with commercial interests.