Skin care for Premature Neonates

[wrighty]

hi i was wonder what other units (nicu) policy or practice is on skin care (mainly aimed at extreme premature neonate (24 week and above).

thanks

mariann:monkeydance:

[SaraJRN]

We use Mepitel beneath our pulse ox probes on many of our infants. We also are huge fans of Mepitac tape for gastrostomy tubes. It is not recommended to use this tape on any life saving equipment, ie ETT, IVs, OGs/NGs, etc.

[PrudenceNurse]

We have Extremely Low Birthweight Guidelines that include: no leads; "soft touch" pulse ox probe with no adhesive; mist tent for 72 hours; after initial bath, water only (no cleanser) for two weeks; remove all Betadine/Chloraprep with sterile water ASAP; Extra Thin Duoderm under ET tube tape;and AVOID ALL TAPE and TEGADERM on the skin, which goes for all of our patients, not just the ELBWs.

[PrudenceNurse]

What exactly is a "bio-occlusive dressing"? Tegaderm? Please give more details/examples?