FOOTPRINTS

[NANSNURSE]

I was just wondering what other units do for footprints. Currently, we are expected to do footprints on everyone when they are admitted. Whether they are a 400 g 23wkr or a 4000 g mec aspiration/PPHN kid and everything in between. The nurses are split. Some say, just do the footprints on everyone, and others say, not until they are stable. The main problem is we do not have inkless footprinters. So alot of people are upset about having to put ink on the tiny ones and scrubbing it off the ones who need extreme minimal stim. What does your unit do? I would love to hear all about it! Thanks!

[NurseKerry]

In our hospital, footprints go in and out of vogue based on the frequency of abduction scares. If your institution is insistent on doing them, insist on inkless footprinters for any babies less than 34 weeks.

[dawnebeth]

We tried a kind of inkless printer paper and it was hopeless, no one could get it to work! lol. We went back to our old inky prints.

Dawn

[BabyLady, BSN, RN]

I was just wondering what other units do for footprints. Currently, we are expected to do footprints on everyone when they are admitted. Whether they are a 400 g 23wkr or a 4000 g mec aspiration/PPHN kid and everything in between. The nurses are split. Some say, just do the footprints on everyone, and others say, not until they are stable. The main problem is we do not have inkless footprinters. So alot of people are upset about having to put ink on the tiny ones and scrubbing it off the ones who need extreme minimal stim. What does your unit do? I would love to hear all about it! Thanks!

I agree with you.

If the policy is going to change to everyone, then there needs to be inkless footprint kits available.

You are very correct that it is sad to try to get ink off of babies feet that is already fragile...and is a waste.

Frankly if it were me I would be, "Foot stays black or no footprint...take your pick."