neonatal

Pediatrix acquires Akron Neonatology

Sun, 16 Nov 2008 04:34:41 GMT

Pediatrix Medical Group said it has completed the acquisition of Akron Neonatology, a physician group practice in the Akron, Ohio, area.

Akron Neonatal has eight physicians that serve three neonatal care units at Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General Medical Center and Akron City Hospital.

Dr. Anand D. Kantak, who was president of Akron Neonatology, will stay on as Sunrise-based Pediatrix's medical director in Akron.

Design of neonatal intensive care units critical to infant health

Fri, 23 May 2008 20:33:50 GMT

Partially presented at the COLLEGE STATION, June 15, 2005 - Effective neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) provide more than just services - they're designed in a way that contributes to the health of the infants being treated, says a Texas A&M University authority on health care facility design and environmental psychology.

Mardelle Shepley, a professor of architecture at Texas A&M, says properly designed NICUs can potentially result in a number of health-related benefits for the infants in them, but the design of NICUs should be handled appropriately because these infants are exceedingly vulnerable. Some of the benefits, she says, include infants conserving energy, improved ability by infants to manage their environment, growth, decreased respiratory support, decreased lung disease and decreased length of stay.

"Conscientious architects are becoming increasingly aware of the impact of design decisions on the sensory environment of the neonatal intensive care unit," Shepley says. "Since the first symposium on health care design in 1988, the notion of creating healing environments has evolved from a tangential, subjective design consideration to an intervention based on science."

In other words, designers of NICUs are taking into account things such as lighting, noise, and the physical layout of the facility, not only for the infants, but for the staff and families as well, Shepley explains.

Modifications to NICU environments can reduce stress among staff members by allowing them to better care for infants and their families, she notes. For example, an improved environment can enable nurses to spend more time engaging in patient and family support activities instead of walking around searching for supplies - an activity that previous research by Shepley identified as occupying a significant portion of nurses' time.

What's more, research shows that routine activities, management roles and lack of knowledge are often perceived as the most stressful by NICU nurses. Variation in the form of window views and differing lighting levels can energize routine activities, and technology that supports supervision can better support management activities, Shepley says.

As it pertains to the infant, the intensive care unit should be designed in a way that fosters sleep opportunities because research suggests that sleep is critical to brain development, she notes. Visual and auditory stimulation should be controlled because these senses are less developed in infants than are other senses and are more susceptible to disruption.

Lighting in these units, Shepley says, should be adjusted to reinforce natural daily light variations, and the lighting level should be controlled in a way that allows for gradual changes in the level. Light levels should be no brighter than needed to complete a task, and individualized lighting should be available at each baby station, Shepley recommends. Individualized lighting, she explains, is the best compromise to meet the needs of the infant and the staff because lighting needed by infants may not be comfortable to staff. Reduced lighting also has been shown to significantly reduce conversation levels among staff, the primary contributor to noise in an intensive care unit.

Numerous studies identify noise as a primary stressor for infants, patients and staff of health care facilities, with infants particularly disoriented by noise because their hearing is still immature, Shepley says. Noise can prevent an infant from reaping the developmental benefits of sleep, but noise can be reduced through acoustic and configuration modifications to the facility and modifications in staff behavior through educational programs. However, some forms of noise, such as music, have been shown to be effective in reducing stress in infants by reducing cortisone levels in the brain that are associated with stress, she notes.

Visual and spatial elements of NICUs are rarely addressed because it is assumed that infants in intensive care have limited visual ability and lack consciousness to be affected by visual and spatial cues, but Shepley says these areas merit attention and could have an impact on staff and family perception and behavior. Color selection relative to infants is largely inconsequential, she says because of their lack of visual perception, but with regard to adults, studies have indicated persons in high anxiety situations prefer pastels rather than saturated colors. Common sense, she says, dictates that color schemes should be subdued so they don't interfere with accurate reading of the infants' skin color.

"The future of evidenced-base design for infants and staff in NICUs is hopeful," Shepley notes. "The stage has been set to enable the design disciplines, the medical establishment and the academicians to work together to significantly improve the quality of life for infants, families and staff in neonatal intensive care units."

Contact: Mardelle Shepley, (979) 845-7877 or via email: mardelle@archone.tamu.edu or Ryan A. Garcia, (979) 845-4680 or via email: rag@univrel.tamu.edu.

Contact: Ryan A. Garcia
rag@univrel.tamu.edu
979-845-4680
Texas A&M University
http://www.tamu.edu

Women's Health, Obstetric And Neonatal Nurses Fight Domestic Violence; AWHONN Partners With House Of Ruth Los Angeles

Fri, 23 May 2008 20:32:38 GMT

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) announced its new charity initiative, called Caring Through Sharing. For 2008, AWHONN has adopted the House of Ruth in Los Angeles, the host city of its June 2008 Convention. AWHONN members and staff will donate items such as strollers, clothes, toys, towels and other household goods to help the women and children at the House of Ruth.

"Nurses make a difference in the lives of so many people in clinical settings. I am proud that we will be giving back to the community in which we are holding our annual convention" said AWHONN President Barbara Moran, PhD, CNM. "I've worked closely with battered women and their families, so our collaboration with the House of Ruth is especially meaningful to me." The House of Ruth is one of the only safe havens for homeless and battered women with children in greater Los Angeles. It is a homelike environment that protects mothers and their children. It also offers services such as case management, crisis intervention, child care, health screening and education, life skills training, shelter, permanent housing placement, and move-in assistance.

"Homeless women with children continue to be the fastest growing segment of the U.S. homeless population. Sadly, more than one-third of America's homeless women are fleeing domestic violence," said Moran. "We must do more to help these families."

To contribute items to the House of Ruth, AWHONN has established a public registry through Target Lists. Items purchased from the list will be sent directly to Los Angeles, and will make a difference in the lives of the families in this shelter. Make a donation online.

About AWHONN

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is the foremost nursing authority that advances the health care of women and newborns through advocacy, research and the creation of high quality, evidence-based standards of care.

AWHONN's 22,000 members worldwide are clinicians, educators and executives who serve as patient care advocates focusing on the needs of women and infants.

A leader in professional development, AWHONN is the first and only association to be awarded the designation Premier Provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for innovation and excellence in Continuing Nursing Education.

AWHONN was founded in 1969 as the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The association became a separate nonprofit organization called the Association of Women's Health and Neonatal Nurses in 1993.

Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

Travel Nurse Jobs

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:57:53 GMT

Find links to travel nurse jobs and neonatal nursing employment.
Is is a site full of useful links.

Texas Nurse-Midwife Receives Highest Honor From American College Of Nurse-Midwives

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:54:13 GMT

Nancy Jo Reedy, CNM, MPH, FACNM, a certified nurse-midwife from Arlington, Texas, is the recipient of the 2007 Hattie Hemschemeyer Award from the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). The "Hattie" is the College's most prestigious award and was presented to Ms. Reedy on May 26, 2007 at the ACNM 52nd Annual Meeting & Exhibit in Chicago, IL.

A 1973 graduate of the Mississippi Medical Center Nurse-Midwifery Education Program, Reedy has spent over 30 years contributing to midwifery and women's health. Reedy founded four midwifery practices, including the practice at Parkland Memorial Hospital, which is the largest midwifery practice in the United States. Reedy is currently the Director of Nurse-Midwifery Services at Texas Health Care, PLLC in Fort Worth, Texas. Reedy received an MPH from the University of Illinois in 1977 and has exemplified dedication to midwifery, in clinical practice, policy, advocacy, mentorship, education, leadership, and service.

"Over the years this midwife's dedication to midwifery, in all its aspects, including practice, policy, advocacy, mentorship, education, leadership and service, has been outstanding," said Katherine Camacho Carr, CNM, PhD, former ACNM President, during the award presentation. "I would venture to say that she even has celebrity status among us, not only because of her legendary midwifery contributions, but also because of her wit, her sense of humor and her honest, if not opinionated approach to everything."

Reedy has had a long standing commitment to underserved women. She currently has plans to move to a new women's hospital supported in part by an endowment to ensure care for vulnerable populations.

Reedy has played key roles in ACNM. She served on the ACNM Board of Directors as Region V Representative from 1994-1997 and as Region IV Representative from 1980-1984. She served on the ACNM Nominating Committee, the Bylaws Committee, the Political & Economic Affairs Committee, the ACNM Summit on Nurse-Midwifery Education, the ad hoc Committee to Revise the Ethical Code for Midwives, and the National Commission on Nurse-Midwifery Education, in addition to playing many roles in her local chapters. Currently, Reedy serves as an ACNM Division of Accreditation site visitor.

Reedy supported the development of the service Directors Network, and the A.C.N.M. Foundation. Her wisdom and guidance as the President of the A.C.N.M. Foundation turned the Foundation into a dynamic, fiscally sound, and successful fund-raising endeavor. She has tirelessly worked for sister organizations, including the March of Dimes, the National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (formerly NAACOG).

The Hattie Hemschemeyer Award, named in honor of ACNM's first president and a pioneer of the profession, is given annually to an ACNM member who has been certified for at least ten years, has not previously been selected for the award, and has fulfilled one of the following categories: continuous outstanding contributions or distinguished service to midwifery and/or maternal child health; or, has made contributions of historical significance to the development and advancement of midwifery, ACNM, or maternal-child health.

http://www.midwife.org

Normal Birth: A Thing Of The Past?

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:47:38 GMT

At a time when nearly one in three US births are cesarean and the rate of medical intervention in maternity care continues to rise, the January/February issue of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses' Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) explores the evolution and implications of current high-tech birthing practices and offers nursing recommendations for a return to normal birth.

The "Reclaiming Normal Birth" issue features articles that explore evidence-based nursing practices to promote normal physiological birth - that is, birth that occurs naturally with minimal medical intervention. Also discussed is how to balance these care practices in today's current birthing climate where interventions have become routine.

According to the article, "Promoting, Protecting, and Supporting Normal Birth: A Look at the Evidence," six evidence-based care practices adopted from the World Health Organization (WHO) can be implemented by nurses to promote physiological birth:

-   Care Practice 1: Labor begins on its own;

-   Care Practice 2: Freedom of movement throughout labor;

-   Care Practice 3: Continuous labor support;

-   Care Practice 4: No routine interventions;

-   Care Practice 5: Spontaneous pushing in nonsupine positions; and

-   Care Practice 6: No separation of mother and baby.

The article reviews evidence surrounding each of these care practices and determines that interventions that are not medical necessary increase the risk of complications for mother and baby during birth. However, nurses, as the most prominent, hands-on caregiver in the labor and delivery environment, are in a unique position to reintroduce care practices that support normal birth.

In "The Emergence of High-Tech Birthing," Elaine Zwelling, RN, PhD, a perinatal nurse consultant with the Hill-Rom Company, details the transition from pregnancy and birth as a normal, intervention-free event to a high risk and high-tech event.

Zwelling makes the case that normal birth, as defined by the six parameters adopted from WHO, may be difficult to achieve in the United States today due to routine high-tech interventions.

"As the primary caregivers for women during labor, nurses often find themselves walking a fine line between the wishes of the consumers and the preferences of the women's medical care providers," states Zwelling in the article. She recommends that nurses strive to balance high-tech with high-touch rather than selecting one over the other.

Both articles make the case that hospitals are well-equipped for high-risk, complicated births, but not set-up for normal birth due to policies, protocols and physical infrastructure. Therefore, advocating for normal birth is a challenge for nurses in the current maternity care environment and will require dramatic changes in the typical American hospital.

Continuing Nursing Education Credit may be earned by nurses who read and complete an online post-test and evaluation for the article, "Promoting, Protecting and Supporting Normal Birth: A Look at the Evidence," by Amy M. Romano, MSN, CNM, a perinatal research and advocacy coordinator at Lamaze International, and Judith A. Lothian, RN, PhD, LCCE, an associate professor at the College of Nursing, Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.

AWHONN is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

About JOGNN

The Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) is the bimonthly peer-reviewed journal of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.

About AWHONN

The Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) was founded in 1969 and is the foremost nursing authority that advances the health care of women and newborns through advocacy, research and the creation of high quality, evidence-based standards of care.

AWHONN's 22,000 members worldwide are clinicians, educators and executives who serve as patient care advocates focusing on the needs of women and infants. A leader in professional development, AWHONN is the first and only association to be awarded the designation Premier Provider by the American Nurses Credentialing Center for innovation and excellence in Continuing Education.

Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

St Michael's Neonatal ICU Depends On The Siemens Rapidlab(R) 1265 Blood Gas Analyser For Critical Care Testing, UK

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:43:35 GMT

The neonatal ICU at St Michael's Hospital, Bristol (part of the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust) has recently purchased a RapidLab(R) 1265 Blood Gas analyser from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics to provide comprehensive critical care testing parameters in an accurate and timely manner.

The RapidLab� 1265 is a high volume, low-maintenance whole blood analyser that offers blood gas, electrolyte, metabolite and full co-oximetry analyses from a single sample. It delivers accurate results in 60 seconds or less, allowing medical staff to make critical decisions at the earliest opportunity.

Neonatal Technician, Bridget Robbins, comments, "The babies we care for often require complex surgical, cardiac and medical intervention. It is vital that our blood gas analyser gives fast and accurate results since ventilator settings, fluids and drug levels are calculated on these results. We find that the Siemens RapidLab� 1265 gives us faster results, which saves staff time and is better for the patients."

The Peter Dunn NICU at St Michael's Hospital is a regional specialist centre for neonatal intensive care, caring for over 600 babies every year from all over the South West of England. A critically ill baby may require blood gas analyses every 30 minutes, and so the RapidLab� 1265 is located in situ to ensure that tests can be performed and results obtained as soon as they are required.

Bridget Robbins continues, "The complete range of parameters offered by the RapidLab� 1265 is of use to us in the care of critically ill babies. In particular, Met haemoglobin may be a side effect of specialised treatment, and so we have to monitor levels closely in case treatment needs to be altered. "In addition, estimated haemoglobin may give an early indication of anaemia. The system copes very well with neonatal blood samples. We do not need to use magnetic "fleas" to control clots."

"Our experience with Siemens' systems in the past has been very good and we have received excellent support from the Help Desk and our local Siemens representative. All in all the RapidLab� 1265 has been a good and economical choice for us."

All reagents for the RapidLab� 1265 are contained in easy-to-use sealed cartridges, making the system extremely easy to use and maintain.

About Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics

Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics is the leading clinical diagnostics company in the world. The company offers health care providers the broadest range of diagnostic products and services that are used for diagnosing medical conditions, monitoring patient therapy and providing quality health care. Siemens' comprehensive portfolio of solutions and highly responsive service are designed to improve clinical outcomes, streamline workflow and enhance the operational efficiency of clinical laboratories around the world. Visit http://www.siemens.com/diagnostics.

About Siemens Healthcare

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of �9.85 billion, orders of �10.27 billion, and group profit of �1.32 billion.

Siemens Healthcare

Childrens Diseases / Pediatrics

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:33:44 GMT

The best links about it

The Fern Lab

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:32:46 GMT

The Fern lab is located in the Department of Neurology at the University of Washington in Seattle.

National Association of Neonatal Nurses

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 01:31:52 GMT

The National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) is the professional voice that shapes neonatal nursing practice.