Name: Arjane Dorothy Yap

Year and Section: BSN4D

NURSING UPDATE
24 million new babies are affected by neonatal jaundice each year. Premature
infants are more prone to jaundice, which can cause serious, incurable brain damage if
ignored. Newborns are at danger of acquiring irreversible brain damage that might
cause cerebral palsy, deafness, and visual impairment if they don't receive the proper
care. High-intensity blue light phototherapy is a common treatment; nevertheless, it is
often administered in a dedicated newborn intensive care unit (NICU), which interferes
with parent-child bonding, strains the family, and raises healthcare expenses.
Additionally, families in rural or undeveloped nations might not have simple access to
phototherapy.

By providing portable phototherapy that may be utilized at the parent's bedside at

home or in a hospital, the bili-hutTM lowers healthcare expenses and keeps infants and
their families together while undergoing treatment. The apparatus provides high-
intensity phototherapy comparable to NICU-intensity therapies. Additionally, it is
portable, foldable, lightweight, and energy-efficient enough to run on batteries. The bili-
hutTM is perfect for use in hospitals, at home, or in a variety of settings, including rural
and resource-limited places, and is simply cleaned with typical hospital sanitizing
chemicals.

In the context of the COVID-19 epidemic, devices like the bili-hutTM that offer at-
home treatments for common illnesses are extremely helpful. Hospitalization can
increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure for patients and healthcare workers, and
visiting restrictions can prevent babies from connecting with their relatives. Traditional
NICU care may be replaced with an efficient and secure alternative thanks to the bili-
hutTM.

References:
bili-hutTM – FDA-Cleared Phototherapy for Treating Newborn Jaundice at Home | NICHD -
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
(2021, November 16). Www.nichd.nih.gov.
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/grants-contracts/SBIR_STTR/showcase/bili-hut

Reflection

With the high incidence rate of liver-related diseases in neonates, like any other
diseases, this should be given attention and the development of treatment is certainly
very important. The use of new technologies in the management of neonatal jaundice
has the potential to greatly improve the care and outcomes for n ewborns affected by
this condition. Neonatal jaundice, characterized by the yellowing of a newborn's skin
and eyes due to elevated bilirubin levels, is a common condition that often resolves on
its own but can occasionally lead to more serious complications if not managed
properly.
As a nurse, the integration of new technologies into the management of neonatal
jaundice can be incredibly helpful and transformative in your role. These technologies
have the potential to enhance your ability to provide efficient, accurate, and patient-
centered care. These technologies aid in Early Detection and Monitoring, Accurate
Assessment, Efficient Data Management, Education and Support, Telemedicine and
Remote Consultation, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Decision Support, Documentation
and Reporting, Professional Development, and Research and Quality Improvement.
 While the benefits are substantial, it's important to remain vigilant about potential
challenges, such as ensuring proper training, addressing disparities in access to
technology, and maintaining a balance between technological interventions and human
touch in patient care. Overall, embracing and effectively using these technologies can
empower you as a nurse to provide the best possible care for neonates with jaundice,
improving their outcomes and experiences.