23 Years of Saving Babies' Lives!
March 18th & 19th
All expectant parents hope that their babies will be born healthy. Unfortunately, some newborns need special care. That’s what makes  the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Regina General Hospital such an important unit. It cares for the most at-risk, fragile newborns and supports the needs of parents who are facing unexpected emotions and circumstances.
 When the NICU opened its doors in 1976, approximately 50 infants were transported to the unit in a year. Today, the yearly admission rate is around 800. While some babies stay in the NICU for only a few hours for observation, others spend several months.
For over a decade the Z99 Radiothon has been supporting this special unit. The proceeds from the 2010 Radiothon will purchase many essential items including an ultrasound machine dedicated to the unit and equipment for the Special Care Nursery.
Tom Sorensen, Manager of the NICU, says, “An ultrasound is a vital tool. It tells us the baby’s condition, helps determine treatment options and it can even help us to know what the baby’s long term progress will be. Most often it is used to detect bleeding in the brain, which is crucial information to have.”
The Special Care Nursery is a 5-bed step down unit for babies who can move out of the NICU, but are still too sick to go home. Two key pieces of equipment needed for this nursery are overbed warmers and care-by-parent chairs.
 Babies need to be in a warm and comfortable environment to support their development. “We can’t have babies getting cold,” says Tom. “Overbed warmers throw heat on a baby through a radiant warmer. The baby then doesn’t have to be covered up which helps when staff assess the baby. The warmers can also be set to maintain the baby’s temperature at a steady rate.” Other features include a built-in scale that can chart weight trends and a rotating mattress, so the baby doesn’t have to be moved.
Just as babies need to be comfortable, so do parents. Care-by-parent chairs are oversized recliners placed beside each baby station in the nursery. Tom says, “I think most people have experienced sitting for hours in an uncomfortable chair. Add on top of that the stressful situation of caring for and bonding with your sick baby. If the parents are more relaxed and comfortable, it’s so much better for the baby.”
“The support of the Z99 Radiothon means a lot,” says Tom. With the community’s support these essential tools will be available to the dedicated staff at the NICU and the babies and families they care for every day.
Click here to read Malia's Story
|