Honors Theses

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Sociology and Anthropology

First Advisor

John Green

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

The incidence of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) is abounding in hospitals across the nation due to the recent surge in opioid abuse. This thesis explores the variation in protocols and guidelines used by healthcare practitioners concerning NAS. This study consisted of a literature review as well as observations and interviews with healthcare practitioners in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). The literature review revealed there has been a greater increase in NAS among rural areas, and there is currently no national standardized protocol for the treatment of NAS. Field notes taken during the interviews and observations confirmed the literature in that each NICU’s protocol varied, although they were similar in many aspects. Five main themes were identified from the field notes, as well. In conclusion, it may prove beneficial to look into the development process of similar disease protocols such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) to gain insight to aid in the creation of a standardized protocol for NAS.

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