Dr. Celestina Barbosa-Leiker, a Professor at WSU Spokane, has been awarded a $190,000 contract from the Health Care Authority to conduct research on the prevalence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) and infant maternal health outcomes associated with neonatal transitional nurseries in Washington. The research aims to identify barriers to establishing pediatric transitional care facilities, partner with Maddie’s Place to follow up with mothers and their children, analyze developmental outcomes, and provide a descriptive cost analysis of these services. Maddie’s Place, a Spokane-based pediatric transitional care facility, recently secured $5.5 million from Washington state’s opioid abatement settlement account. The funds will be used to implement a pilot program studying the efficacy, outcomes, and impact of providing services to infants with NAS, with a portion allocated for the research collaboration with WSU’s College of Nursing.
The research team will identify barriers to starting pediatric transitional care facilities, partner with Maddie’s Place to follow-up with mothers and their children, analyze developmental outcomes, and provide a descriptive cost analysis of these services.
Celestina Barbosa-Leiker, Executive Vice Chancellor, WSU Health Sciences Spokane
Maddie’s Place, founded by Trisha Hughes and led by Shaun Cross, currently cares for infants born with NAS, offering vital support during their withdrawal from substances such as opioids, alcohol, and marijuana. The facility received donations from various organizations and individuals, and the recent funding will cover operating expenses for the next two years. The collaboration with WSU’s College of Nursing, under the leadership of Dr. Barbosa-Leiker, reflects a commitment to research and addressing the challenges associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome, contributing to improved outcomes for affected infants and their mothers.
Read the complete story at the Spokane Journal of Business
In the news…
- WSU researchers study care given at Spokane transitional nursery for infants addicted in utero, Spokane Public Radio
