Neonatal network : NN
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Neonatal network : NN · Mar 2009
Practice GuidelineThe dying neonate: family-centered end-of-life care.
There is a need in the NICU for an end-of-life care guideline that nurses can follow when working with dying infants and their families. Maintaining intravenous access to relieve the infant's pain, communicating sensitively to the family, and creating precious, everlasting memories are goals that should be part of every dying infant's care. The nurse's ability to partner with the family in caring for the infant is integral to helping the family take the first steps in their grief journey. ⋯ New mothers and fathers are not aware of the caring parental tasks they can perform for their dying baby. They look to and depend on their infant's nurses to encourage them. The guideline included here provides nurses with a tool for ensuring that families have the opportunity to create memories that will not only help them with their immediate pain, but also comfort them for a lifetime.
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Neonatal network : NN · Jan 2009
Sudden infant death syndrome prevention: a model program for NICUs.
Health care providers' opinions can influence how parents place their infant to sleep. Neonatal nurses can improve how they teach and model safe infant sleep practices to parents. To increase neonatal nurses' knowledge, a sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention program was implemented. ⋯ To increase nursing compliance in modeling safe infant sleep practices, Halo SleepSack Swaddles were provided for nurses to use in place of a blanket to regulate infant temperature. Recent data show that 100 percent of infants in open cribs are now sleeping supine wearing a Halo Swaddle or a traditional Halo SleepSack. This model program can easily be replicated to enhance neonatal nurses' knowledge about SIDS prevention.
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Caring for the premature infant in the NICU requires knowledge and understanding of the physiologic adaptation to extrauterine life and how prematurity affects that transition. Nurses play an integral role in managing fluid and electrolyte balance in these infants. This article addresses postnatal adaptation and all aspects of fluid and electrolyte management of the preterm infant.