Initiating a music therapy program in level III NICU

[nursemeesh]

My level III NICU is planning on initiating a music therapy program in the near future. I am currently gathering research and information and would like some advice from others who have initiated this type of program in your units. I feel that it would be most beneficial to hire a music therapist, at least to help us get the program up and running, but I'm not sure if this will be supported by administration. Any imput into how to start a program from scratch would be appretiated. Also looking for any information on what types of services are provided in NICU's that have a music therapy program in place. Do you use PALS (Pacifier activated lullabies)? What type of music do you use (live and/or recorded)? Do you have a licenced Music Therapist on staff? and if not, how do you monitor the efficacy of you program? Is the staff supportive of this treatment? Any imput is welcomed. Thank you.

[thatsthekeyRNC]

I don't think we have an actual organized music therapy program, but during the day we have a harpist and it's so nice - I remember the older babies looking mesmerized when she walked around! Otherwise, the bigger difficult-to-soothe babies will usually get a CD player from Child Life with lullabies or we will pull up youtube on the computer and play lullaby videos. I doubt we have any policies or programs though.