I am a NICU nurse in a level 3 NICU. We started scanning barcoads for meds/labs about 1 year ago. However, it is currently our policy to put the barcode on a bracelet that is attached to the infant's ankle or wrist. This means that we have to disturb the infant to scan. Just wondering what other NICU's are doing. If you could let me know what hospital you are at & how you are handling this, I would appreciate it.
Our unit purchased hand scanners, and they can scan thru plexiglass of isolette. But still difficult if ID braclet has turned. Some of our smallest have the ID band on and a duplicate taped outside isolette.
For those of you who have bar-coded bands that actually FIT the babies, what is the manufacturer's name? The bands we are currently issued are more 'adult sized' and thus are just taped to the isolette/bed. Our IT dept is having trouble locating manufacturers that could get us the right size bands for our little ones. Any suggestions?
babyNP., APRN
1,923 Posts
oh man. I can understand how this would work well with adults, but babies? C'mon!
our babies have their id bands on a posey usually to cover their pulse ox, but they're not scannable.
Can you imagine trying to put an ID band on a 500 gram-er with the skin bruising at the slightest touch?