Background/Objectives: Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) constitute a highly complex clinical environment characterized by patient fragility and frequent ethically sensitive decisions. To date, systematic studies investigating how Italian NICUs address these challenges and what forms of ethics support are eectively available are lacking. The aim of this study is therefore to assess how ethical issues are managed in Italian NICUs, with particular aention to the availability, use, and perceived usefulness of clinical ethics support in everyday practice. Methods: A 25-item questionnaire was developed by adapting an existing tool for investigating clinical ethics activities to the neonatal context. Following expert review by the GIBCE (Gruppo Interdisciplinare di Bioetica Clinica e Consulenza Etica in ambito sanitario), the nal instrument covered four areas (general data, experience with ethical dilemmas, tools and procedures, opinions and training needs). A manual web search identied all Italian NICUs and their clinical directors, who were asked to disseminate the survey among sta. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Data collection was conducted via Google Forms and analyzed through qualitative thematic analysis. Results: A total of 217 questionnaires were collected. The most frequent ethical dilemmas concern quality of life with anticipated multiple or severe disabilities (72.4%) and decisions to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining treatments (64.5%). Major challenges include fear of medico-legal repercussions (57.6%) and communication divergences between physicians and nurses (49,8%). More than half of respondents (52.1%) reported no formal training in clinical ethics, and 68.7% had never developed a Shared Care Plan (Shared Document for healthcare ethics planning) as dened by the Italian Law 219/2017. Conclusions: Findings highlight marked fragmentation in ethical practices across Italian NICUs. On this basis, establishing structured and accessible CEC services could help promote consistency, reinforce shared ethical standards, and support transparent and equitable decision-making in critical neonatal care.
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