Incubator care bsc nursing 3rd yr

1. CA RE O F TH E B A BY I N
I NCUBATOR

2. INTRODUCTION
• Incubator is a microenvironment for newborn who are susceptible to
hypothermia.
• Infants should be nursed in the neutral thermal environment and
have a core body temperature between 36.5-37.2ºC.
• Nursing care is critical in supporting thermoregulation through
ongoing assessments and environmental interventions to decrease
heat loss for the infant being cared for in an incubator.

4. INDICATIONS
• Extremely premature infant
• Low birth weight sick neonate
• Neonatal sepsis
• IUGR
• Neonate with large wound

5. PREPARE THE INCUBATOR
• Determine the appropriate temperature for the incubator based on the
infant's weight and age.
• Pre-warm 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.
• Clean the mattress and cover it with a clean sheet.

7. • Ensure that baby's head is covered and the baby is clothed and
covered unless it is necessary to keep the baby naked for observation
or procedure.
• Place the baby in supine position and attach the skin probe on right
hypochondrium. If in prone position place the probe on loin area.
• Close the hood quickly after placing the baby inside and keep
portholes closed always to prevent heat loss.
CARE OF BABY

8. • Work in air mode if the baby is unstable and skin mode if the baby is
stable.
• Monitor baby's temperature every hourly for first eight hour, and then
every 3 hrs.
• Maintain axilla temperature between 36.5ºC and 37.2ºC.
• Access baby by using the portholes, limit opening of large door as this
interferes with air temperature.
CARE OF BABY

9. • Explain to parents/caregivers the purpose of an incubator for their
baby.
• Ensure they are familiar with how to access baby, as it is optimal for
parents to continue to touch and provide comfort.
CARE OF BABY

10. ADJUSTING INCUBATOR TEMPERATURE
• Default incubator temperature in NICU is 35ºC.
• Adjust the incubator temperature by no more or less than 0.5 of a
degree at a time.
• Re-check the temperature within half an hour of making any
adjustment.
• If the baby is on phototherapy, decrease incubator temperature when
phototherapy is commenced

11. WEANING INCUBATOR TEMPERATURE
• When the decision is made to remove the infant from the incubator
the incubator temperature should be weaned by 0.5 ºC until 30 ºC is
achieved.
• Check temperature within 1 hour of transfer.

12. CARE OF INCUBATOR
• Place the incubator shielded from direct sunlight. When in use, clean
all external and internal surfaces daily with soap and water.
• After 7 days of use change the incubator.
• Clean the used equipment first by light detergent solution and then by
antiseptic solution.
• After drying, parts are reassembled and sterilized with vaporizing
agent.
• Fumigation with formalin or gluteraldehyde may be done.
• Sleeves of the access windows must be changed daily and cleaned.
Check the air filter daily.