Abstract: 〔Abstract〕Objective: To explore the significance and effect of the establishment of pre-discharge transitional wards with family
participation for preterm neonates in Yunnan Province. Methods: We selected 45 pairs of premature infants with similar degrees of
illness and family backgrounds, who were hospitalized in NICU of a Grade-A Children′s Hospital in Yunnan Province from January
2019 to January 2020. Preterm neonates in the control group were treated in NICU until discharged from hospital, while preterm
neonates in the experimental group were treated on the transitional ward with parents participating in nursing care before discharge. We
compared parents′ abilities to care for preterm neonates outside of the hospital and the life quality of neonates after discharge between
the two groups. Results: The care ability of caregivers in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group,
and the visit rate of non-primary diseases in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group within 1 month after
discharge, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. There were no nosocomial infections both in the experimental and
control groups. Conclusion: The establishment of transitional wards with the family participating in nursing care for premature infants
can enhance the care ability of caregivers and improve the life quality of premature infants after discharge. This is a care strategy which
should be recommended under the current medical system.

Key words: 〔Key words〕preterm neonates, family participatory care, pre-discharge transitional ward, life quality outside the hospital