Some of the weakest patients also happen to be the smallest
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The first few days as a new parent can be some of the most intimidating yet remarkable times. However, in the neonatal intensive care unit, fear and dread come in much heavier doses. When babies are born, they no longer rely solely on their mother. Their bodies have to sustain themselves, but sometimes complications mean they are not able to do this.
In their own ICU exclusively for babies, they are supported by machines until they are hopefully strong enough to be discharged. Some of the most common reasons babies are taken into intensive care include premature births where the baby isn’t yet fully developed, low sugar or oxygen levels, breathing problems or infections. The latter is the most common cause of death.
Treatment kits X-ray tray
This ICU has its own portable technology. Like you would find in the hospital, the ambulance has systems that can provide oxygen through ventilators and drips to be filled when the condition is assessed. Other treatment kits are stored securely for travel. These cater for any situation the team are faced with when they arrive at the scene. Usually included are burn and wound kits, surgical tools, medication, a tracheal kit for inserting airway apparatus and equipment for monitoring blood pressure, temperature and other bodily functions.
Incubator
Babies are placed in these clear boxes to keep them warm, as when they are sick or premature their temperature often drops. Holes in the side allow staff to adjust equipment, and sometimes parents can have contact with their newborn. In modern incubators the X-ray receptor is built into the tray beneath the baby. This picks up the X-ray image. These are often needed to check the location of tubes embedded and to look for signs of lung and bowel issues.
Temperature and humidity controls
Some baby boxes have closed tops, which makes it easier to control the temperature and humidity levels. This can be done using this keypad, which constantly displays conditions inside. A probe on the skin can also change settings automatically as the baby’s body temperature fluctuates.