Neonatal Nursing & Family-Centered Care

We had a discussion regarding our "protocol" for teddy bears, i.e. where we accept teddy bears and similar toys which parents/friends/relatives give to children in the nicu. Currently we allow such toys in the beds of stable infants (typically infants fully fed enterally), and on the side board beside incubators. However, we thought we might re-evaluate this policy, since we really do not know to what extent those toys might be colonized with bacteria. Do you have a Teddy Bear Policy?

Hi all, Our new clinic is being contructed and we are thinking about a new concept of "a practical NICU". A general feeling wants to bring parents closer in the system of care of their babies and to accompany them in order to improve attahchment and parentality in one hand and reduce anxiety and depression after discharge in a second one. Recent readings let think of opening units to the parents ie, access without specific schedule near their baby. Do you have such an experience? What is the feeling of the nursing teams (do that matter with care?). We don't have enough space to built single rooms. Thanks

Dear netter, We have a neonatal nurse who gave birth to a 23 weeks GA female baby on December, 2008. The nurse finished her maternity leave and joined back last month. She insisted to be assigned on her baby beside taking care of another baby as the ratio is 2:1. The baby now weighs 1680 gm, on full NGT feed, has ROP stage IV and brain US showed dilated ventricles. Otherwise, she is stable. The question is, have you ever encountered such situation where the nurse taking care of the baby, is the mother? Do you think its ethical to deny this mom the right to take care of her baby while she is on duty? Would she be able to take care of the other assigned baby? Would …

Hi NICU nurses, We are currently nursing students at DePaul University in Chicago, IL conducting a graduate research project. We are interested in how pain reassessment is done in NICU. If you can, please take this survey about your perception towards Pain Reassessment in NICU. Here is the link: (The survey is completely anonymous). We are using an existent tool so please be not alarmed if you don't see some population of the survey being neonate. The concept of pain reassessment of NICU nurses in the main idea. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Qm1jiD1DLIjZyL5BRpozvg_3d_3d Also, please forward this to any other NICU nurses you know! More responses…

We have an infant in our NICU who developed Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Infection control ppl asked as to bathe him with hibscrub which contains (4% chlorhexidine, meythlated spirit and perfume) they said it can be dilluted before the procedure. I am concerned about the systemic absorption and irritation that such contents may cause to the infant's skin anybody can share with me their policy for infants with MRSA infections Thanks a lot

Our unit is trying to find alternatives to using sheepskin (r/t infection risk). We have a sample Lily Pad memory foam mattress to try out and would love any input from those who have tried them already!

I am on the search for colouring material for siblings based on the equipment in the NICU. I am wishing to produce post-card sized material so that thw sibling contribution can be stuck on the incubator-anyone knbow of any such material that is available? Thanks Ian woodroffe Psychological support NICU Addenbrookes Cambridge UK

if mother has hypotermia(35,6-35,9)can baby contact skin to skin 2 hours after birth?

I work providing psychological support for parents on a level 3 Unit. I am interested in working with parents on the multiple grief that being on a Unit presents. I would be interested to hear of any co-ordinated pragrammes that are attending to these issues in any way. Best wishes Ian Woodroffe Psychological support Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge University Foundation Trust Cambridge UK

What are experiences with the Cannulaide fixation for Infant flow?