Fairview Health Services’ Post

here's a piece I produced for Cedars-Sinai about the importance of skin-to-skin for the tiniest babies in the NICU and new procedures that allow parents to hold those babies sooner after birth. https://lnkd.in/g6WVrifW

Video 2! Listen to Raquel as she shares about the necessity of seeking support. 🩵🩵🩵🩷

Today is World Prematurity Day, and all I can say is – if anyone ever wonders how much difference empathy and kindness can make, they should visit a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. What happens there is nothing short of magic.   The doctors and nurses take in their hands the most vulnerable of all human beings, unable to survive a few minutes without intensive support, and with infinite patience and love they make them thrive.   At the same time, they check – ever so gently – on anguished parents who watch their little ones strapped to all kinds of tubes and monitors. They always know just how to approach parents whose babies are likely to make it, as well as those whose babies are in a critical state. Encouragement, maybe even jokes, in the first case. Hushed voices, or sometimes just loving silent presence, in the second case.   Someone could probably think that sure, parents whose babies went through NICU without adverse consequences might have this positive vision. But what about those who lost their children?   Sadly, I know those parents too. And while nothing can take away their pain, some of them feel so grateful for the support they received that they keep coming as volunteers to the NICU to help other parents going through this rough patch.   Extreme vulnerability turned into health and strength and emotional safety. If this isn’t magic, what is?   After an experience like this, you cannot help but wonder what the world would look like if all of us were made to swear, at the beginnings of our professional careers, that first, we will do no harm. 

Essential webinar to attend

💜 World Prematurity Day 💜 One in 10 children is born prematurely and today we raise awareness of the challenges for women and babies associated with preterm birth. Unlike full-term babies, premature babies develop and mature during their stay in the hospital. Therefore, creating an ideal nursing environment is vital to providing a healthy setting to support their well-being and development. At Chromaviso, we take pride in making a positive impact in Neonatal Units with our evidence-based circadian lighting. In short, the lighting is designed to protect the premature babies' underdeveloped eyes and brains from direct light exposure while creating a calm and nurturing atmosphere for the staff and parents. Read more about how our lighting is used in neonatal care here: 🔗https://lnkd.in/eNMkepFV #WorldPrematurityDay2023 #WPD2023 #worldprematurityday #circadianlighting

PEDIA's Approach to easing anxiety for children during indiction of anesthesia: BALLOONS! We are bringing Fun to the Operating Room PEDIA champions the cause of reintroducing joy and laughter into the lives of pediatric patients. By integrating fun into the care process, PEDIA helps children find a sense of DIGNITY and control in an otherwise intimidating setting. Our interactive anesthesia balloons help alleviate anxiety, PEDIA's initiatives are designed to make the operating room experience less daunting. PLAY not only aids in emotional coping but also in physical recovery by reducing stress and promoting a positive mindset. #pedia #pediaballoons #funintheoperatingroom #ORFun #pediatricanxiety #pediatricanesthesiaanxietyrelief #balloons #childlife #play

Giving back to the community… 4 Down, 96 to go !!! Soft dolls are beneficial for premature babies in hospitals as they offer certain advantages for their development and well-being: 1. **Comfort and Security**: Premature babies are often separated from their parents due to their time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Soft dolls can be a source of comfort, helping the baby feel safer and more at ease. 2. **Developmental Stimulation**: The texture and shape of soft dolls provide sensory stimulation, which is important for the development of premature babies. This can help improve their sense of touch and grasp reflexes. 3. **Association with Parents’ Scent**: Parents are sometimes encouraged to spend time with the soft dolls so that they absorb their scent. When the baby has the doll, the familiar smell of their parents can help them feel calmer and more connected, even when their parents are not physically present. 4. **Assistance with Positioning**: Some soft dolls are specifically designed to help babies maintain a healthy position, which is crucial for their physical development and to prevent discomfort. The use of soft dolls in hospitals is part of a broader approach to supporting premature babies by addressing their physical and emotional needs.

“Nido” by GINEVRI goes beyond being just a crib 🌟   Designed with healthcare professionals in mind, "Nido" is more than a crib – it's a comprehensive neonatal care system. Crafted for durability and safety, the robust epoxy-painted steel trolley provides a secure environment for newborns.   🤱 Family-Centered Care: "Nido" promotes Family-Centered Care, allowing mothers to stay close to their infants for comfort and bonding.   🛡️ Safety and Convenience: With a rounded hood for paramount safety, versatile bassinet positions, and an innovative handle for easy access, "Nido" ensures a secure and convenient space for neonatal care.   🚀 The Future of Neonatal Care: Embark on the future of neonatal care with "Nido" – where safety, functionality, and Family-Centered Care converge for the well-being of both newborns and mothers.   #GINEVRI #NeonatalCare #InnovationInHealthcare #NidoBabyCrib #FamilyCenteredCare

Virtual tours of the 13 neonatal units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, including the neonatal transport service and Ronald McDonald house (Brighton) have launched today on World Prematurity Day. One year in the making, the tours will give parents, families and carers a step-by-step tour of the neonatal unit at each hospital. The user can self-navigate or click on the play button for an easy 3D tour experience. Information tags have been added to explain the different areas of the neonatal unit and the equipment. The tours include an insight into the neonatal transport service, a tour of the dedicated ambulance and the transport incubator. Having a baby is an emotional time, and even more so, if your baby needs neonatal care, co-produced with parent involvement, the aim is to offer reassurance for families. Trigger warning: If you are a parent or carer and wish to use the virtual tours to explore the neonatal unit where your baby was cared for, please make sure you are in a safe space and feel emotionally ready to revisit the unit. Some parents have told us that revisiting the unit, even years down the line, can bring back emotional memories, so please take care. Click here to view: https://lnkd.in/evkR8AEA

💙 Did you know that September is NICU Awareness Month? At CHI, we are deeply grateful to NICU staff worldwide for the incredible service they provide to newborn infants and parents. 💙 Help us raise awareness of hyperinsulinism and neonatal hypoglycemia – post an NICU photo and share your experiences using the hashtag #NICUAwarenessMonth! #hyperinsulinism #raredisease #congenitalhyperinsulinism #hypoglycemia ⁠