In the News
As reported by WTNH Channel 8, November 16, 2007.
Sim Babies Help With CPR Training For Preemie
Care
By Jocelyn Maminta
The latest numbers show one out of every ten babies in our state
is born too soon. One Connecticut hospital has a new approach to
help parents dealing with the stress of having a premature baby.
First time mom Angie Golfing, never thought she would give birth
to son Nicholas at 28 weeks. He weighed just 2 pounds and 9 ounces.
"I was terrified, I thought I was going to lose him," said Angie.
Now healthy and strong, Nicholas will soon be leaving the
neo-natal intensive care unit at UCONN health center.
To prepare for his homecoming Angie is learning CPR on the latest
high tech tool available the sim baby.
"Premature babies are at more risk for developing SIDS or sudden
death syndrome. So its really important that they learn the skills
of CPR," said NICU nurse, Edie Ouelette.
The life-like mannequin is also a way for the medical staff to
refresh their training.
"You have to intibate because the baby is not going to be able to
breathe effectively on their own if they're premature because their
lungs are not fully developed," said Physician's Assistant, Kristen
Boucher. "Our previous mannequin we would have to simulate but we
didn't have actual visualization of the epiglottis and know you're
putting the endo-tracheal tube in the right place."
For Janet Klos, whose daughter Kathryn was born at 29 weeks
weighing 2 pounds and 10 ounces, lessons like this are invaluable.
"I'm up all the time, checking on her, making sure she's still
breathing," said Klos.
The sim baby was donated by the march of dimes - Connecticut
chapter. November is prematurity awareness month. |
