Headlines
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.