In reviewing safety concerns for the newborn nursery, an ad hoc committee has been organized to discuss methods to prevent infant abduction. Which option can be used to facilitate improved outcomes related to this potential problem?

Question

a. Allow only immediate adult family members to visitor the newborn nursery during unrestricted visiting hours.
b. Require identification with picture ID confirmation of all family members and/or staff who want to have contact with the newborn.
c. Make sure that all emergency exits are accessible to staff and clients on the unit.
d. Limit the number of visitors to two per client who can be on the unit during visiting hours to maintain security.

Answer 1

ANS: B
Requiring appropriate identification is the best method of preventing possible infant abduction. Evidenced-based practice has indicated that potentially "family and/or staff or someone representing themselves as such" is more likely to attempt an infant abduction. The unit should be a closed or locked unit and require admittance to maintain security. Limiting the visitors to two per client may cause increased stress to the new family because they want to share this experience. Preventing siblings from visiting by only allowing immediate adult family members may prevent beginning sibling attachment and cause separation and stress anxiety to the mother and children.