aC ARE OF BABY IN

INCUBATOR
edt mA ele let CC Tals el et el tt ale idle meee tie ots

When they are at risk of abnormal heat loss.

They have a known infection/ or the potential to develop sepsis.

They are small for gestational age.

They have a large wound site.

NURSING CARE
Pre-warmed to a temperature appropriate to the infant’s age, size and
condition.

Use in Air mode and must always be switched on with the motor running if in
use for a baby.

Check and record the incubator temperature hourly.

Position away from draughts or direct sunlight.

Note: Ensure alarms self-test has been completed (automatic). If the unit fails
the self test, the alarm sounds, and one or more messages are displayed in the
Race tileie leads au
 me ibd tei merle)
utilizing rolled
Access baby by towels/cloth
using the nappies to
Maintain axilla Ensure baby is
portholes, limit provide
temperature ie tote Mare Core
opening of large boundaries that
between 36.5°C apart from a
door as this — support ‘nesting’
and 37.2°C
interferes with Y: and flexion of
air temperature. limbs but
keeping face
clear
 PY vw
n to parents/caregivers th

,
I
>

Ensure they are familiar with how to access baby as it is

optimal for parents to continue to touch and provide
comfort
~

Maintain a quiet environment

No equipment is placed on top of the canopy and no

tapping on the canopy

Careful opening and closing of doors

Default incubator temperature in NICU is 35 degrees

Adjust the incubator temperature by not more or less

than 0.5 of a degree at a time.

Re-check the temperature within half an hour of

making any adjustment.
Axilla temperature
is taken on Temperature is
admission into the documented 4-6
incubator and hourly as condition
rechecked in the dictates
first hour.
Remember:
* A stressed baby is Surgical babies
less able to maintain are prone to
thermoneutrality stress both
before, during and
.after surgery
When the decision is made to
remove the infant from the
incubator the incubator
temperature should be weaned
by 0.5 degree’s/ 3-4 hrs until 30
degree’s is achieved
 cover the baby Always use two
during transport to people when moving
promote warmth and the incubator and
provide privacy. .baby together
 Lissauer T, Fanaroff A, A,
Rodriguez R, J, Weindling M.
(2006) Neonatology ata
Glance. Blackwell publishing
ltd. Chapter 29,
Temperature control.