In the recent past, exceptionally premature babies have been dying at a very higher rate. It is assumed that they only have 50% chance of survival. Newborns are also in this mix as they are at bigger jeopardy of developing complications in future (Whitfield & Peters, 2004). To prevent this, both the infants and the premature babies are usually kept in incubators until they are stable. In cases where the new born is stable and does not need incubators, Kangaroo Mother Care is used. This involves a direct skin-to-skin contact between mother and the new born. One of the main reasons why this technique is encouraged is because it improves newborns social, physical, and emotional development (Global Unity for Neonatal Nurses, 2009)
Our main aim is amending the design of current incubators so that Kangaroo Mother Care can be used at the earliest possible stage, while the baby is still inside the incubator. As stated earlier, newborns and premature children have a 50% chance of survival, and everything possible needs to be done to ensure their survival. To ensure this we have come up with an incubator-design that will not only secure higher functional and mental development in newborns, but also increase their survival chances, as well (Selga & May, 2007). This design involves using of incubators and Kangaroo Mother Care concurrently. This is to mean that, the mother practicing Kangaroo Mother Care will be in an incubator. . This will ensure increased chances of survival of the newborns (Baker, 2000).
There are several advantages of this design if put in place. First, it will increase parenting buoyancy by subsidy breast milk production in mothers and dynamic contribution. This design will as well reduce the chances of infections to the newborns. Usually, newborns especially the premature are very vulnerable to infections (Fanaroff and Martin, 2002). This is because of their immune system which is still not completely developed. In many cases where Kangaroo Mother Care is practiced outside the incubator, the premature babies are exposed to diseases. When mothers practice Kangaroo Mother Care in incubators, this will reduce the chances of infections and thus increasing the chances of survival of the premature babies, as well (Milligan, & Carruthers, 2008).
The second pro that comes with our design incubators is that the Hospitals will also greatly benefit. This is because by adapting simultaneous approach of Kangaroo Mother Care in incubators as will act as an improvement of patient care. Certainly, newborns who are underweight or prematurely in most cases are exposed to cold during transfers and thus exposing them to bronco-pneumonia (Rodriguez, & Martin, 2002). By introducing this design technique of Kangaroo Mother Care in incubators, will ensure that these newborns are not exposed to bronco-pneumonia and thus improving the patients care in hospitals. Another benefit for the hospitals will be reductions of in hospital stay and thus giving a chance for more patients to be treated (Global Concord for Newborn Nurses, 2010). In cases where mothers practice Kangaroo Mother Care outside the incubators, their newborns stay long in hospitals as they need to be monitored closely by doctors. This means that the mothers stay in hospitals for a long time and thus also increasing the expenses. Introduction of this technique will reduce in-hospital stay of the mothers and, therefore, reduce expenditures (Dunn, 1995).
Remarks
Our incubators design are very effective if put in place. This is because they not only help increase the survival of newborns, but also improves patients care in hospitals. They also reduce the time taken in hospitals thus saving expenses to the mothers. To ensure a safe environment for all newborns and increase their survival chances, this incubator design should be embraced and used.
References
Whitfield, M. & Peters, B., 2004, "Conference summary: a celebration of a century of neonatal care". Proceedings (Dallas: Baylor University Medical Center) Retrieved July 15, 2012.
Global Unity for Neonatal Nurses, 2009, Boston: Council of International Neonatal Nurses. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
Baker, J. P., 2000, "The incubator and the medical discovery of the premature infant". Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association.
Selga, A. & May, A., 2007, "Hospital Length of Stay and Readmission Rates for Normal Deliveries: a controlled evaluation". Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center. Manila: Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
Milligan, D.W. & Carruthers, P., 2008, Nursing Workload in UK tertiary neonatal units' in Archives of Disease in Childhood.
Rodriguez, R.J. & Martin, R.J., 2002, Respiratory distress syndrome and its management. Fanaroff and Martin. K., 2002, Neonatal-perinatal medicine: Diseases of the fetus and infant; St. Louis: Mosby.
Dunn, P. M., 1995, "Professor Pierre Budin (1846-1907) of Paris, and modern perinatal care". Archives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition 73 (3):
Global Concord for Newborn Nurses, 2010, Boston: Convention of International Newborn Nurses. Retrieved July 15, 2012.
