What is the NICU? NICU stands for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is a unit for critically ill and premature newborn infants. Babies in the NICU can range from 23 to 35 weeks gestational age … [Read more...]
NICU – Infant Kangaroo Care
Posted to NICU: July 31, 2009
Kangaroo Care in the NICU Kangaroo Care is one of the most intimate ways a mother can bond with her infant. Often, when mom's deliver a preterm baby, the ability to bond between the two can be … [Read more...]
Premature Infants Under 23 Weeks
Posted to NICU: July 31, 2009
Premature Infants Under 23 Weeks in the NICU Premature infants born at less than 23 weeks gestational age are generally too young and too immature in terms of development to survive. Most doctors do … [Read more...]
NICU – Length of Stay
Posted to NICU: July 31, 2009
Length of Stay in the NICU How long will my baby be in the NICU? That is a question many, many parents ask time and time again. The honest answer is that it completely depends on the specific … [Read more...]
Religion in the NICU
Posted to NICU: July 31, 2009
Religion in the NICU Hospitals across the United States have very understanding policies regarding the religion and beliefs of parents and families that have and infant in the neonatal ICU. It is … [Read more...]
Infant Bereavement – When Life Means Loss
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
Infant Death and Infant Bereavement in the NICU Losing your baby will probably be the hardest thing you will ever go through. The grief a parent goes through after the death of their infant is called … [Read more...]
NICU – Asking Questions
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
Asking Questions in the NICU Asking questions in regards to your baby's condition and care is absolutely recommended and encouraged. NICU staff want parents to be as informed as possible about the … [Read more...]
NICU – Medical Records
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
Medical Records refers to the Health Information Department in a hospital. This is where all patient info is stored after a patient has been discharged. It also may be where medical transcriptionists … [Read more...]
NICU – Infant’s Medical Chart
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
Infant's Medical Chart in the NICU Every infant in the NICU has their own medical chart. This includes: Graphical information (Address, parents, insurance, etc.) Consents Doctor's … [Read more...]
NICU Handwashing
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
NICU Handwashing In the NICU, be prepared to wash your hands...many times. Germs pose a great threat to infants in the NICU, since their immune systems are very weak. Handwashing is the number … [Read more...]
NICU Precautions – Underage Visitors
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
NICU and Underage Visitors So what does 'underage' precisely mean in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit? While it may vary from unit to unit, generally it means anyone under the age of 18. Some NICUs … [Read more...]
NICU Nasal Cannula
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
The nasal cannula (NC) is a device used to deliver supplemental oxygen to a patient or person in need of extra oxygen. This device consists of a plastic tube which fits behind the ears, and a set of … [Read more...]
NICU Respiratory Care – CPAP
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
NICU CPAP CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. This common form of infant respiratory care helps a baby breathe by providing a small amount of pressurized air. Severe respiratory … [Read more...]
NICU Respiratory Care – Oscillator
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
NICU Oscillator Oxygen Management / Respiratory Care An oscillator is a more recent version of a ventilator that keeps the lungs open with a constant positive end-expiratory pressure, … [Read more...]
NICU Respiratory Care – Ventilator
Posted to NICU: July 30, 2009
NICU Ventilator A ventilator in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a machine that is used to breathe for an infant when the baby is incapable breathing on its own. A ventilator simulates breaths by … [Read more...]
