NICU Instructions

NICU Instructions are enforced and necessary to protect your  grandbaby from nasty germs that could make the babies very sick.

Boys already on their way to NICU

Mom's ready to see her babies

Based on hospital and physician guidelines, if your grandchild must go to NICU, you will find that he or she will be in the capable hands of the NICU Staff.

NICU Warming Bed or Incubator

All hooked up in NICU

Before you begin this NICU experience, please remember to follow the NICU Instructions to protect and keep the babies safe until they leave to go home.

NICU Entrance

It is my understanding that most NICU programs follow rigorous protocol in order to ensure the safety of the preemies. 

Before birth, the parents register a limited number of guests that can visit their children. In this hospital only 2 people beyond the parents were allowed in a pod for a limited time frame of 20 minutes.  We were required to check into the NICU station each time we visited our grandsons.  This protects the privacy of the parents and their children. 

As we entered this guarded area, NICU Instructions were posted explained and we pledged to follow each time we entered this area.

Of course, primary on the list, is the hand washing procedures that are covered more thoroughly below in the paragraph on "NICU Instructions: To Ensure the Safety of our Babies." Please read!

Description of Pod and Podetts

The individual pods (aka: podetts) are very small cubicles (approximately 8 feet deep and 7 feet across) allowing only enough room for a chair for feeding or nursing, the warming bed or incubator, a small cart for the essentials, and then one straight back chair!

Of course there are IV poles attached to the bed, monitors on the walls, and so many other medical devices that were distributed throughout each small space. Due to this limited space, don’t carry unnecessary items into that area, you can place in provided lockers just outside the area.

What is yellow jaundice? The baby has high levels of bilirubin in the blood which is a yellow substance that the body creates when it replaces old red blood cells. Also, when babies become Jaundice at birth, while still in the hospital are put under blue lights called phototherapy that will provide the medical treatment for this yellow jaundice in premature (born before 37 weeks). The lights work by helping break down the bilirubin in the skin.

NICU Instructions: To ensure safety of our babies...

Handwashing procedures are so important! Follow these instructions carefully! Take off all jewelry Roll up sleeves to elbows Turn on the water with the foot control. Use liquid soap and suds up to the elbow for 60 seconds. Rinse well using foot controls. Use blower to dry hands.

Handwashing is so important in keeping MRSA under control!

NICU Procedures Always Followed

According to these Instructions, this was the procedure we always followed to ensure the safety of our babies:

• Remove all jewelry
• Roll up sleeves
• Hand washing procedures above--Wash hands and arms with soap for 60 seconds
• Rinse with warm water using the foot controls
• Use blower to dry hands

• Also, use the hand sanitizers before going into the pod and continual use of sanitizers during visit before touching the baby
  
• If a phone or camera is carried in pod, must be cleaned with wipes
• Don’t touch any areas going to the pod where the boys are located
• Remain only in the pod where your relative is located
• Use quiet voices so not to disturb this time for babies and other visitors
• Limit camera flashes so not to disturb sleeping babies
  
• If MRSA is found in an area, then you must mask, gown, and glove up
• Use Privacy Curtains to conceal breast feeding or discussions with doctors

NICU Instructions: Babies can't leave until...

According to NICU policy, before a baby can leave the NICU, there are specific guidelines to achieve.

• Must not "Brady" within 5 days
• Must weigh approximately 5 pounds
  
• Must pass a hearing test
  
• Then must be able to sit in his car seat for 2 hours the day before he is to go home.
  

So much stress on a little one struggling to continue life!

However, one of the greatest joys in your life will be to have your grandchild go home from NICU!

Words can't express how much you will appreciate the NICU Staff and their expertise in helping your grandbaby grow and reach the point where they can go home.

These professionals can instruct you on the basics of baby care and answer any questions that you might have about your grandchild.  

NICU Awareness

It is a blessing to have a dedicated staff that is only interested in the well-being and health of each baby!

Bilirubin

Brady or Bradycardia

Incubator

Jaundice

MRSA

Warming beds

Find more grandparenting ideas online at our Home Page Grandparenting Essentials

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