what's your policy on switching out isolettes?

minniemiteRN · Dec 13, 2005

Our policy is 7 days, but since it was never being followed because how do you keep track of when the last day was that you changed out we picked a day and it just so happened to be wednesday. This caused a bit of an uproar both with the tech that cleans the isolettes and the nurses but we start tues eve with the beginning of baths and if stable will change out the isolette, if all goes well by passing progress on in report all isolettes should be changed out by bath time on wed eve will help take the pressure of a lone nurse to do it all by herself. If unstable or if census is high and new isolette unavailable wipes are used to clean isolettes which should be done every day. If you've ever had the priveledge of cleaning a isolette and saw the disgusting things in the knooks and cranies you would definitely do your best to change them out:chuckle

Gompers, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

Our policy is 7 days, but since it was never being followed because how do you keep track of when the last day was that you changed out we picked a day and it just so happened to be wednesday.

We label the isolette when we change it. We'll take a patient label sticker and write the date the baby went into the new isolette, and the date it should be changed. We make sure to put down a piece of tape under the label, so it peels off easily when cleaning. We thought about using a certain day each week, but if you just moved a baby from a warmer to an isolette the day before, why change it the very next day? It also helps the cleaning staff, because no one would want to work on the day they all need cleaning! Instead, we trade them out, one at a time, as needed.

prmenrs, RN · Dec 13, 2005

The CNA's keep track of this on a calender posted in the storeroom. They also label the bubble. If there is a toxic waste spill (if you don't know what I mean by that.....) the RN can see if there's a clean bubble available, and switch it out.

I don't think there is a schedule per se, but if the baby's been living in the condo for 2-3 weeks, the CNA will come and see if the RN wants to switch. They might have someone hold the baby and clean it, change the filter and all that right there.

Mags4711, RN · Jan 25, 2006

We use the Omnibed and our change is now q two weeks.

When we used to use the Air Shield/Vickers Isolette, it was q 1 week.

danissa, LPN, LVN · Mar 2, 2006

thank you so much for your replies! :kiss

I'm in a busy nicu in scotland. we also change the incubators every seven days and have a daily clean with disenfectant wipes.

tracy6fan · Mar 31, 2006

One of the reasons I joined this forum was to network and see what other units are doing. This was one of the questions at the top of my list. Like Luv, I too am having a difficult time finding evidence based information on changing isolettes less frequently than weekly. We're seeing some breakage and breakdown in parts from the weekly cleaning cycles.

We do leave the unstable, ELBW babies in the same Giraffe until they're bigger and more stable to move. In some cases that could be 4-6 weeks. Most nurses are good about wiping down their beds every shift with disinfectant.

As for labeling, we have cut-out houses made from construction paper that say "please change my house" or "please change my condo" with multiple lines for writing the next change date.

jnsatc · Apr 1, 2006

We change our isolettes every 2 wks

elizabells, BSN, RN · May 7, 2006

We change our isolettes every 2 wks

2 weeks here, too.

lovemyjob · May 8, 2006

We dont change ours....

tampa,rnc-nic · Apr 26, 2008

We change ours out as often and I have the same concerns as yours. Do you know of any evidence based practice or clinical trial articles that I can research?

Thanks

mawjood · Apr 26, 2008

we usually change every 7 days :up:

Mimi2RN, ASN, RN · Apr 26, 2008

7 days if stable. The fragile ones stay longer in giraffes.