The care of the neonate has been a continuous evolving art. In the 1970s and '80s, we had limited continuous monitoring of both oxygen and carbon dioxide. We relied on the snapshot of a blood gas result to govern the respiratory management for the next few hours, unaware of the harm we were causing to the developing preterm neonate.
This decade has given us great advancements in perinatal care, allowing us to save extremely under-developed neonates with high risk of comorbidities. In many NICU’s, the snapshot mentality of respiratory care is still alive – at the expense of the developing neonates. The dilemma of having to wake sleep deprived physicians, who are the only ones authorized to make a respiratory adjustment, is still commonplace.
This webinar will demonstrate how to transition from the snapshot of respiratory management every eight to twelve hours to a continuous bedside model. By empowering the healthcare team in the decision-making process utilizing the enormous potential of pulse oximeters and transcutaneous pCO2 and pO2 monitors, the bedside caregiver now has the ability to quickly recognize changing conditions and make immediate respiratory adjustments. The session will also discuss the ways in which these instruments help reduce the probability of comorbidities and the length of invasive ventilation.
AARC, AACN and general certificates available.
Presenter
Marty Sandoval, RRT, NPS
Respiratory Manager, Children's Services
Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center