[llc333]

Hi, I just recently (2 months) started work at a very small rural hospital.
There are 2 family practice guys running the show for the ob dept.
The lab draws the bilirubins via vein puncture on these newborns. Said it's required per the Doctors ,that the results are more accurate than a heel stick. Iv'e never heard of this before and feel the attempts per lab and the need for nurses to hold infant down during this procedure that sometimes takes up to 30 mins is not really a necessary treatment.
Also many of these babys are being placed under photo therapy with bilirubin levels around 10 at 2-5 days of life. Can anyone give me some concrete evidence to the right practice modalitys for these 2 concerns?
Iv'e been working L+D the last 15 years so may not be up on the latest.
thanks, llc333

[BittyBabyGrower]

A venipuncture will be more accurate for a hct, but a bili can and should be a heelstick. I agree with you, that seems pretty barbaric!

There are several great articles out on bilirubin levels in 35 weeks and above, do a medscape search. There is a chart we go by!

[RNmom08]

We always do heel sticks...

BTW Don't know if you know this or not but when lab is drawing the blood on those bitty bilibabies - make sure that the bili lights are OFF. if the blood is exposed to the lights, you can get a false low reading.