phototherapy

[greyhorse]

The doctors at the facility where I work order inpt phototherapy. Usually in a room where the mother rooms in. I have just started working for an agency and when I worked this weekend we had a dr order a phototherapy 'belt' and light for the parents to use at home. This was new to me, how commonplace is this? What about concerns about dehydration, keeping eyes covered, and temperature regulation?

Greyhorse

[mark_LD_RN]

we send a few home on phototherapy but most are inpatient.

our own kids got the window treatment, they did fine,were breastfeed exclusively and never got jaundice. but did spend a lot of time outdoors and by the window as we are outdoor kinda people:)

[dawngloves, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by researchrabbit

My first child was born back in the Dark Ages, I guess; her "bili therapy" after hospital discharge was sunlight through a window for 10 minutes 3x a day until the first checkup....no kidding, that's what the MD ordered.

I did this with my kids. Did a sunbath for 3 days, bili peaked at 18 and came down. Had a nurse come and draw bili levels. Thanl goodnes it was the summer and was sunny out!

[SmilingBluEyes]

yes ---summer perhaps....but in winter this would not work in Seattle this time of year. hence the booming business in bili lights and blankets.

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Sunlight is beautiful here in New England too, but with the wind chill factor currently 15 below, we also do a booming bili business! :)