[ScammRNC]

Our unit is investigating the use of gonadal shields on the premature infants. Does anyone out there have any information? Is it a requirement of JCAHCO? Any help would be appreciated.

[elizabells]

We use them sort of on and off - depends on the tech or if the parent has said something, which some of them do. We just had our mock JCAHO survey, and I haven't seen more of it since, so I'm assuming it's not a requirement.

[WeeBabyRN]

We have them taped up at every bedside, it is a heart and the point goes up or down depending on the gender. They might get used 10% of the time. I always mean to use them, but I usually forget.

[preemieRNkate]

We have one tech that always uses them, but most of them don't. We have one taped on the x-ray machine, and we wipe it down with antimicrobial wipes between babies. It's from Save the Gonads (Natus Medical) which always cracks me up. There is a "Save the Gonads" bumper sticker on the side of the x-ray machine that I always say I want for my car. I obviously have the same sense of humor as a 4th grade boy...

I'm not sure what the JCAHO requirements are, but I will try to find out. I will ask my unit educator about it when I go back into work.

[littleneoRN]

We use them pretty consistently--I can't speak for all nurses all the time. But if the techs were responsible, let's say we probably wouldn't be quite so consistent. Shields for everyone on chest xrays and shields for boys on abdominal xrays. (You don't get the full view of a girl's abdomen with the shield). As far as JCAHO goes, I have no idea.