NICU "Mini Policy and Equipment Makeover"

[preemieRN0612]

My NICU needs a mini makeover and I am looking for recommendations on a few things:

1. Anyone have a policy on Human Milk Preparation Procedures that has been recently updated (within the last year or so) that you would be willing to share?

2. There has been lots of talk about what type of fortifier is best (dry powder vs. liquid) and I know liquid is expensive but my lacation team would love to go to liquid, I need need to find the $$. What does your NICU use? Brand recommendation, especially liquid? Anyone switch from dry to liquid recently (i.e. within the last 4-6 months) and what are your thoughts - good, bad? Cost?

3. We have 4 small refrigerators in our unit and for the most part they are okay. I would not say stellar but do okay. We may get some capital money to either purchase 4 new ones or we are looking at bedside refrigerators but not the cheap small ones that people put in their offices. Any recommendations or brands to stay away from, especially bedside ones?

4. Milk warmers - what are you using, why did you choose the one you did and cost? I am on the fence on this one right now. I have not trialed any yet but am considering within the next six months. Does your milk preparation policy include a milk warming system?

5. It is time for new breast pumps for our unit, any suggestions?

Thanks so much for any and all help. Much appreciated as I am slightly overwhelmed with budget time around the corner.

~ Mary A.

Los Angeles, CA

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We still mix our EBM and fortifier at the bedside, if we have to add liquid protein also then it gets mixed in the milk room. We are trying to move towards liquid fortifier but it is cost prohibitive. Eventually all EBM will be barcoded and scanned at the bedside so it will all be mixed on the milk room by a tech.

We have to buy fridges and freezer thru purchasing and it goes out to bid. We have 2 large deep freeze in our unit and fridges in each room with individual bins we label for each patient.

We still use cool water baths to thaw and warm water in cups to heat. Again, cost prohibitive for warmers. Sucks to work county sometimes!