first grader in NICU?

ratchit · Nov 17, 2003

All units should have visitation policies. And all policies should have room for individual exceptions.

It might be important for this child to see her father to be able to deal with what is happening to her family.

I don't work with kids, but I know they can be terrified by the equipment. If the visit is going to happen, it should be planned and controlled- no other patients visible, equipment hidden if possible, the patient should look comfortable if possible. And the child should be told in advance what he/she will see. No vent or ICP surprises.

Does the hospital have a child life specialist? I've worked at a couple that do, and they did a great job preparing and supporting children in situations like this.

purplemania, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2003

Why would the father be a patient in the neonatal ICU? I think you meant Medical or Surgical. Anyway, sometimes children are let in. The reason it is discouraged is because children carry SO MANY germs and may infect patients who are already sick. Another reason is children may not have fully developed immunity systems and may be exposed to dangerous germs present on the ICU floor. But call the nurse's station and find out policy.

z's playa · Nov 17, 2003

The NICU? :confused:

bellehill, RN · Nov 17, 2003

Neuro ICU

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Nov 17, 2003

Speak to the head nurse and the CNS...I know at our hospital that exceptions have been made for our SICU. As for the child catching anything...unless the father has something really contagious it shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the child washes his/her hands after leaving.

I know that if that were me laying in that bed, my 8 year old would want to see me..no matter how sick I was.

emm · Nov 17, 2003

I see no problem with a first grader seeing their dad in icu. Spending time with him is very important. I lost my dad last year. He was in icu and I was with him when he died.

As long as the child isn't sick, I see no reason why not.

CCU NRS · Nov 17, 2003

I work in CCU and they recently lowered our visiting age to 5 yep 5years old I was a little surprised but we still have people bring two and three year olds and say can't so and so see her Grampa for a minute?

Elenaster · Nov 18, 2003

As a nurse in Neuro ICU, I found many instances when rules could be bent. Overall, the greatest concern to me would be imaginative 6-year-old's reaction to the overwhelming environment (I have a 6-year-old of my own). That reaction varies from child to child and parents/caregivers should do whatever they can to adequately prepare the child before he visits.

Ultimately, this child's father may not recover and I believe it's vastly important that he be able to see his father to help him understand what's going on. We need to remember that children are very concrete thinkers at this age, and abstract descriptions may not suffice in answering their questions. I've recently let a 6-year-old in to see her grandmother for the last time and allowed a 13-year-old to spend the night at her father's bedside before we withdrew care. Having lost both my parents, I feel it's very important to give children every opportunity to obtain some closure in these situations.

Hugs to you Emm, I lost my father this year as well. He coded while they were floating a Swan-ganz catheter and was not able to be resuscitated. I was in the ICU waiting room when they called the code overhead. I knew it was him and as an ICU nurse, I've never felt more powerless, I could do nothing to help. That memory will haunt me for the rest of my life.

emm · Nov 18, 2003

Thanks Elenaster for the hugs. I am sorry to hear about your dad too. My heart goes out to you and I am sending a hug your way too.

Emm.

kloget · Nov 18, 2003

Thank you all for your input!!! The NICU I was speaking of is NEURO ICU....sorry for the misunderstanding. I guess all hospitals are different.