I was recently asked to research using broselow tapes in the newborn nursery. We are a level one nursery....all sick babies are shipped.
We use NNR guidelines at birth and responders for that would have no need for the broselow tapes.
The concern that the VP raised was if a baby codes later on the responders would probably be ER doctors who are not as strong in NNR and are more familiar with PALS and ACLS. She feels they may want the broselow tapes "for consistency".
We are Level One also. We use the Broselow system on Peds. In the nursery, we use NRP guidelines. The ED staff, paramedics, docs, etc. are PALS trained as are our peds nursing staff. The NRP guidelines for meds are posted on HUGE cards several places in the nursery. How about confusing the NRP trained nursing staff in the nursery? The Broselow tape is great, but I think NRP is a great program for newborns. I hope we don't change.
I was certified in PALS and NRP when I was a maternal child float nurse and loved the Broslow system in peds (esp when the cart is set up to match) but it wouldn't make sense in the delivery room or nursery. The weight ranges I think are too big and if I remember correctly (I still have PALS but I'm out of the acute area) all "babies" would either fall into the same range or be too small to fall into range. Actually, JCAHO does not really prefer their use among the PALS age population they were designed for. I think the standard now is a personalized weight based sheet with doses and equipment sizes for all risky inpatients (like mentioned) and Brslow used only for true emergencies- ER or the sudden crash of a stable floor pt.
I work at a Ped's facility and we use weight based sheets for all codes on inpatient kids or little ones who come in. I believe NRP is only used immediately post delivery, in the nursery and the NICU.
imenid37
1,804 Posts
We are Level One also. We use the Broselow system on Peds. In the nursery, we use NRP guidelines. The ED staff, paramedics, docs, etc. are PALS trained as are our peds nursing staff. The NRP guidelines for meds are posted on HUGE cards several places in the nursery. How about confusing the NRP trained nursing staff in the nursery? The Broselow tape is great, but I think NRP is a great program for newborns. I hope we don't change.