Re: H1N1 -- in the NICU

I actually work in L&D but we had a pt with H1N1, and double pneumonia, who's baby was born at 29 weeks and sent to the NICU.

They wouldn't let her, or anyone in her family, go visit the baby because they were all considered exposed to H1N1.

I have no idea when they were planning to let them visit.

I understand the reasoning, but I still felt bad for her. I went down to the NICU for her to take pictures of her baby for her and it made her really happy.

The baby herself was also on droplet precautions down in the NICU.

Re: H1N1 -- in the NICU

http://www.news25.us/Global/story.asp?S=11421042

I hope this link will work...... a NICU nurse dies of suspected H1N1 after caring for a baby of a mom hospitalized with the virus. ....... so sad.

Re: H1N1 -- in the NICU

Originally Posted by spacey

http://www.news25.us/Global/story.asp?S=11421042

I hope this link will work...... a NICU nurse dies of suspected H1N1 after caring for a baby of a mom hospitalized with the virus. ....... so sad.

Super scary!! I've taken care of several babies when the mom had h1n1.

Re: H1N1 -- in the NICU

Originally Posted by spacey

http://www.news25.us/Global/story.asp?S=11421042

I hope this link will work...... a NICU nurse dies of suspected H1N1 after caring for a baby of a mom hospitalized with the virus. ....... so sad.

Agreed, very sad that this lady died.

Why would we assume that, even if she did die of H1N1, that she contracted it at the hospital, let alone from the baby (who hasn't tested positive for the virus and isn't even described as being ill)?

We are in a pandemic... the virus is all over the place. I would argue that she's probably more likely to have contracted the virus in the community than in the NICU where excellent hand hygiene is so easy to do, and is 2nd nature.

Re: H1N1 -- in the NICU

Originally Posted by ♪♫ in my ♥

Agreed, very sad that this lady died.

Why would we assume that, even if she did die of H1N1, that she contracted it at the hospital, let alone from the baby (who hasn't tested positive for the virus and isn't even described as being ill)?

We are in a pandemic... the virus is all over the place. I would argue that she's probably more likely to have contracted the virus in the community than in the NICU where excellent hand hygiene is so easy to do, and is 2nd nature.

I agree. The odds that she contracted this from the baby is very slim. Just because mom tested positive doesn't mean the infant will.

Re: H1N1 -- in the NICU

I'm not sure the article is assuming the nurse got it from the patient.....I know I'm not trying to indicate that. I agree, with the baby testing negative this is probably unlikely. (and I believe the baby was always asymptomatic) However, the mother was hospitalized and critically ill from H1N1 and I do wonder what the visiting policies were. (ie...did mom come and go from the unit? dad? other relatives going between the two areas?) It is, indeed, likely that she could have been exposed from many other places....just thought it was interesting, considering our discussion on H1N1 in the NICU.