BittyBabyGrower

BittyBabyGrower MSN, RN

NICU, PICU, educator

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All Content by BittyBabyGrower

  1. Best Practices for UAC use ?!?

    BittyBabyGrower replied to Jack's Mom's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We don't put in double lumens in the UA only the UV. We will use the UA to infuse on if it is a ELBW baby and we need the access. Remember, you can NOT put vasopressors thru a UA, only a UV....

  2. What kind of scrubs do you wear?

    BittyBabyGrower replied to grlgid's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We were white and our nurse senate rallied for us, and, thanks to a VP of nursing that is liberal, we are now allowed to wear whatever color scrubs we want. It brightens things up and everyone looks...

  3. the best ETT securing methods and devices

    BittyBabyGrower replied to ligucis21's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We've trialed several and we always go back to tape...it just holds up better. We use skin prep under it and retape as needed. We have used the neobars on the smaller kids because those are the ones...

  4. PICC TKO Rate

    BittyBabyGrower replied to NicuCourtney's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We run a 1:1 1/2 NS heparin gtt thru on a pump at 0.5ml/hr. We use Piccs for ABX treatment greater than 7 days. Once the treatment is done, the picc is pulled. We will occas cap them on the...

  5. Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital or Metro for new grads?

    BittyBabyGrower replied to andie2517's topic in Ohio Nursing

    They specifically want BSN prepared. I hold a BS in another field and I had to go back to school for my BSN. I know it sucks, but it is what the ANCC wants. It still never hurts to

  6. Cleveland Clinic, University Hospital or Metro for new grads?

    BittyBabyGrower replied to andie2517's topic in Ohio Nursing

    Just an FYI that most Magnet hospitals are only looking for BSN's, Metro being one of them. They have to keep a certain percentage of BSN nurses to keep accrediation with ANCC. They do hire new...

  7. infection-free NICU

    BittyBabyGrower replied to Julie Basilio's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    You will never have no infections, but you can really make a decline by using bundles for VAP and line sepsis. We also swab all kids upon admission for MRSA so we can determine if it is acquired from...

  8. Cleaning protocol in nicu

    BittyBabyGrower replied to Julie Basilio's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use the antimicrobial wipes on all surfaces once a shift, bleach wipes if called for. We change out isolettes on non-critical kids once a week. Most of our kids are on a twice weekly or every...

  9. What do you use for pain control for PICC insertions?

    BittyBabyGrower replied to ICN_RN's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Fentanyl or nasal versed if no IV

  10. POC Testing in the NICU

    BittyBabyGrower replied to brysmit's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Everything gets sent to the lab except for glucoses. All are doc ordered. The results are available in the computer as soon as lab puts them in and when the glucometer is

  11. WITHDRAWL SKIN CARE

    BittyBabyGrower replied to 3yrDiploma's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use pinvax right off the bat because you know they are going to get a broken down

  12. Iv infiltration/extravasation from prbc transfusion

    BittyBabyGrower replied to Julie Basilio's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Remember that you should always have a doctor's order for any heat or cold application, according to hospital policy, esp on infiltrates. We have plastics and peds surg that consult and they want...

  13. Your NICU's protocol for cleansing IV ports

    BittyBabyGrower replied to minky84's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Many places add the total sterile gloves, etc when they are still having issues with infection. 99% of the time, line sepsis is caused by accessing the line for meds, draws, etc. We are fanatical...

  14. sucrose for sedation

    BittyBabyGrower replied to soprano3's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Using sucrose for hypoglycemia is inappropriate....try defending that one in a court of law without a procedure/policy to back you up! We have a hypoglycemic algorithm to follow. How much are you...

  15. Iv infiltration/extravasation from prbc transfusion

    BittyBabyGrower replied to Julie Basilio's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I have seen a few blood infiltrates...we just monitor them, they will absorb on their own usually. It will start to look like a scab after a few days and then reabsorb. As for watching sites...it...

  16. Your NICU's protocol for cleansing IV ports

    BittyBabyGrower replied to minky84's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We use on kids over a kg...and sali-wipes after to prevent

  17. baby sitting primary after discharge

    BittyBabyGrower replied to iHeartNICU's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Babysitting an ex-patient is very different than babysitting say your niece. You have established a professional relationship with this family and yes, you are going to be held to a higher standard...

  18. Cocaine in breastmilk?

    BittyBabyGrower replied to NICU_Nurse's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    positive tox means no BFing in our

  19. Your NICU's protocol for cleansing IV ports

    BittyBabyGrower replied to minky84's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    Go to IHI.org and do a search on central line bundles. We implemented a bundle 2 years ago and have cut our central line infections by 80%...we still have them, but not like we did! We have had zero...

  20. Clock OUT and IN for lunch in a NICU???

    BittyBabyGrower replied to Jerico's topic in Activism, Healthcare

    First I'd have to ask about your staffing...we usually have a census of 40-46 with 16-18 nurses and we all manage to get our lunch without jeopardizing patient safety. It may mean that some don't...

  21. FNP working in a NICU?

    BittyBabyGrower replied to PremieRN123's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    I'm not sure about that or if each hospital is different, but at ours, you have to be a neonatal NP to work in NICU and a peds NP or neonatal NP to work in normal newborn. I'd do a little research...

  22. H1N1 -- in the NICU

    BittyBabyGrower replied to spacey's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We will be closing our unit to all visitors except parents, we don't float to peds at all anyways, but we also will not be getting PRN help from there during flu/RSV season. We will screen the...

  23. Mandatory Flu shots

    BittyBabyGrower replied to CathyLew's topic in Disaster Preparation

    We were told yesterday that if we didn't get the vaccine, which is 2 shots by the way and they have no idea if a second one is really needed, then we will be fitted with one of those god-awful masks...

  24. busy or slow

    BittyBabyGrower replied to nicu4me's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We're busy...not so many multiples right now. We go in spurts. Haven't seen as many infertility ones since the economy went belly up! We don't have a lot of vents, but the ones we have are doozies!...

  25. Skin Integrity

    BittyBabyGrower replied to ScammRNC's topic in NICU, Neonatal

    We are going to the Braden Neonatal Skin Assessment...like the poster above said, it is a numbered scale, very similar to the adults