I am volunteering in the NICU!!

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It's official, I'm volunteering in the Level III NICU beginning next week :D :D My responsibilities include: cuddling & feeding :D :D Here's the problem ~ it's at a University hospital currently experiencing an outbreak of NEC (2 babies have died; 5 babies are recovering). They are refusing very critical neonates. What is going to happen with this unit? What can I expect? Will the babies that are feeder/growers (or close to that) be safe to stay? NEC isn't contagious, right? Just the possible virus causing it?

Thanks in advance!

Any info would be appreciated!

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NEC is not contagious. There isn't really a virus per se, that causes NEC. Some hospitals refuse patients until they can find out what the source of the problem is. That is probably what this hospital is doing, which is the right thing to do.

Christine, RNC, BSN

It's official, I'm volunteering in the Level III NICU beginning next week :D :D My responsibilities include: cuddling & feeding :D :D Here's the problem ~ it's at a University hospital currently experiencing an outbreak of NEC (2 babies have died; 5 babies are recovering). They are refusing very critical neonates. What is going to happen with this unit? What can I expect? Will the babies that are feeder/growers (or close to that) be safe to stay? NEC isn't contagious, right? Just the possible virus causing it?

Thanks in advance!

Any info would be appreciated!

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Specializes in NICU.

I've heard of hospitals doing this when there are big outbreaks of any illness. My own unit did it once before, due to a large number of babies with NEC. The babies were moved to another part of the hospital, the place was cultured and aggressively cleaned, and then it reopened. I don't think they ever found anything, though. It was before my time here.

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It's official, I'm volunteering in the Level III NICU beginning next week :D :D My responsibilities include: cuddling & feeding :D :D Here's the problem ~ it's at a University hospital currently experiencing an outbreak of NEC (2 babies have died; 5 babies are recovering). They are refusing very critical neonates. What is going to happen with this unit? What can I expect? Will the babies that are feeder/growers (or close to that) be safe to stay? NEC isn't contagious, right? Just the possible virus causing it?

Thanks in advance!

Any info would be appreciated!

Just curious - are you a nurse already and hoping to specialize in NICU - just wondering how much training you have to have already to become a volunteer. Thanks!

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Nope, not a nurse...no medical background whatsoever.

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