NASCEND

NASCEND Technology-enhanced training & certification for healthcare systems to improve outcomes for OEI.

NICUs are classified into four levels of care, each designed to handle a different degree of newborn medical need. For m...
09/08/2025

NICUs are classified into four levels of care, each designed to handle a different degree of newborn medical need. For many Level I and II nurseries, infants with opioid exposure are often transferred to higher-level NICUs. This creates separation between mom and baby and removes families from their community systems during an already challenging time.

NASCEND's training is designed to work across all NICU levels, but it makes a critical difference in lower-level nurseries, especially in rural hospitals that are disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic and often face limited resources. đź’ˇ By standardizing care, we empower providers with the tools, training, and confidence to care for these infants close to home. The result? Less need for medicated treatment, shorter hospital stays, and improved outcomes for both mom and baby, all while keeping families together in their community.

Myth! In Appalachian Kentucky, infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) are facing rates more than 10 times the n...
09/06/2025

Myth!
In Appalachian Kentucky, infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) are facing rates more than 10 times the national average. These babies need strong support from hospitals and care teams. NASCEND provides the education and resources to improve outcomes for these infants.

What an inspiring experience! 🌟 Our CEO, Dr. Forbes, attended the 2025 Mead Johnson Global Nutrition Summit & Live Speak...
09/03/2025

What an inspiring experience! 🌟 Our CEO, Dr. Forbes, attended the 2025 Mead Johnson Global Nutrition Summit & Live Speaker Training, where experts gathered to share the latest on infant nutrition, the growing role of AI in patient care, and new ways to make presentations more impactful. As Mead Johnson marks 120 years of innovation, we’re proud to be part of a community dedicated to helping babies and children thrive.

đź’š Breastfeeding Month Fact:THC passes into breastmilk, and leading health authorities recommend avoiding its use while b...
08/23/2025

đź’š Breastfeeding Month Fact:
THC passes into breastmilk, and leading health authorities recommend avoiding its use while breastfeeding.

Clear, honest conversations supported by evidence-based data not only protect infant development, they also strengthen trust between families and providers. That trust is key for compliance and for helping parents feel supported in their care journey.

Did you know? Infants exposed to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) who are breastfed have lower incidence of NAS and r...
08/19/2025

Did you know? Infants exposed to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) who are breastfed have lower incidence of NAS and require shorter durations of treatment compared to those who are not breastfed.

For NICU leaders, this highlights the critical role of breastfeeding support in improving outcomes for substance-exposed infants. Beyond the well-known benefits, breastfeeding can be a powerful strategy to reduce treatment needs and further exposure.

đź’ˇ How is your team empowering nurses and families to promote breastfeeding among mothers in MAT?

Fact! Feeding difficulties are the leading reason infants require pharmacological treatment. Higher calorie burn and lo...
08/16/2025

Fact! Feeding difficulties are the leading reason infants require pharmacological treatment. Higher calorie burn and loss creates a double challenge for these infants.

Understanding how to minimize calorie loss is critical to improving outcomes and supporting families. How does your team tackle feeding challenges in the NICU for babies with NOWS?

Trauma-informed care (TIC) fosters trust and engagement, which enhances patient retention and adherence to care. These a...
08/11/2025

Trauma-informed care (TIC) fosters trust and engagement, which enhances patient retention and adherence to care. These are critical factors in supporting healthier pregnancies and achieving better outcomes for both mom and baby. Start the conversation about nurse-driven excellence in NAS care, contact our team to learn how.

Huge thanks to 150+ healthcare professionals across 9 states who attended for Dr. Forbes’ Health for a Change webinar!Yo...
08/02/2025

Huge thanks to 150+ healthcare professionals across 9 states who attended for Dr. Forbes’ Health for a Change webinar!

Your investment in learning will have a direct impact on how families are supported in the hospital and beyond. Because of your leadership:
👶 Infants will receive more consistent and compassionate care
🤱Moms will feel respected, supported, and heard
🏡 Families will have safer, stronger transitions home

Training matters. And when done right, it transforms care.

💬 Let us know, what’s one takeaway you’re bringing back to your team?
👇 Drop it in the comments or tag a colleague who needs to hear it.

Fact! Exposure to multiple substances during pregnancy can increase the risk of withdrawal, worsen its severity, and pro...
08/02/2025

Fact! Exposure to multiple substances during pregnancy can increase the risk of withdrawal, worsen its severity, and prolong its course.

Each year, 15% of infants experience prenatal exposure to substances, and Kentucky’s NAS rates are above the national av...
07/19/2025

Each year, 15% of infants experience prenatal exposure to substances, and Kentucky’s NAS rates are above the national average. Join Health for a Change: Recognizing and Responding to Opioid Exposed Infants, a free 90-minute webinar to learn key strategies for supporting moms and babies including trauma-informed care, comfort first, and effective communication with families. These proven strategies extend beyond Kentucky and can help providers everywhere.

Earn 1.5 CE credits from the Kentucky Nurses Association.

Who should attend: Nurses, physicians, social workers, community health workers, and anyone working with affected families.

👉 Register now and share this with colleagues who want to make a difference! https://healthy-ky.org/events/health-for-a-change-recognizing-and-responding-to-opioid-exposed-infants

Each testing method has its own window of detection and limitations. For example, urine reflects recent exposure, while ...
07/14/2025

Each testing method has its own window of detection and limitations. For example, urine reflects recent exposure, while meconium and cord tissue can capture longer-term substance exposure during pregnancy.

Understanding the differences helps providers choose the right approach for accurate assessment and timely care.

If you work in NICU or newborn care, we’d love to know:
👉 What testing method does your team rely on most and why?
Share your experience in the comments or tag a colleague who’s part of this work.

Address

710 Barret Avenue
Louisville, KY
40204

Website

https://linktr.ee/nascend

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The New Paradigm of Care for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Each year, an estimated 15% of infants are affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, illicit drugs or other substances. That means 1 infant is born every 15 minutes requiring treatment for neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) resulting in an aggregate cost of care of more than $2.5 billion. NASCEND is transforming the experience of NAS with technology, live virtual and in-person training, evidence-supported guidelines, and family-focused intervention. NASCEND helps healthcare professionals engage with expectant mothers and families as early as the 1st trimester, deliver improved in-hospital newborn care, and continue developmental and nutritional follow up for the first three year’s of the child’s life. Our results are life changing. Infants supported with NASCEND’s continuum of care are less likely to be admitted to the NICU, are treated with comfort care measures instead of medication, and spend less time in the hospital. NASCEND’s approach to caring for substance exposed infants significantly reduces the cost of care with a per patient savings of nearly $40,000 as well as a better experience for families and healthcare providers.