Lecture 1

Question 1

What is neonatology?

Answer 1

A subspecialty of paeds. Specifically deals with medical care of newborn infants, in particular or ill newborns. Usually practices in its own specialised environment NICU. Practised by specialist clinicians - neonatologists

Question 2

What is the differences between premature neonates and paediatric patients in terms anatomy, physiology and treatment?

Answer 2

A premature neonate does not have the anatomy/physiology function that is expected of a paediatric patient.
Further complexity introduced where illness is additional factor
Infants physiology continues to change and develop with time
Ineffective treatments
Environmental exposure to the infant is far greater significance that the paediatric or adult

Question 3

What is the medical equipment used to maintain the environment of the neonate?

Answer 3

Neonatal incubator, transport incubator

Question 4

What is the medical equipment used to monitor the neonates vital signs?

Answer 4

Vital signs monitor, oxygen saturation monitor, apnoea monitor, glucose monitor

Question 5

What is the medical equipment used to deliver treatment to the neonate?

Answer 5

Infusion pumps, ventilators, phototherapy equipment

Question 6

What is the medical equipment used in neonatal care for diagnostics?

Answer 6

Ultrasounds, X-ray machines, blood analysers

Question 7

What elements and environments are important to control and take care with for the neonate to have a good development?

Answer 7

Healing environment - touch, light, taste, sound, light
Partnering with families, positioning & handling, safeguarding sleep, minimising stress & pain, protecting the skin, optimising nutrition

Question 8

What types of things are needed to be considered for the NICU environment?

Answer 8

Open plan or private room design: advantages to both, open plan is easier for patient care and private rooms give a better parent experience.

Infrastructure: a lot of equipment needs to be stored close at hand ‘ready to go’ - medical gases, suction (vacuum), plenty of accessible power, quiet, awareness of the effect of room heating on neonate - included direct sunlight, parent experience

Question 9

What are the cardiac related issues neonates may have which is a large number of cases?

Answer 9

Atrioventricular septal defect
Coarctation of the aorta
Congenital heart disease

Question 10

Which neonatal conditions require surgical intervention?

Answer 10

Gastroschisis
Cleft palate

Question 11

What conditions can the neonate experience that cause breathing issues?

Answer 11

Transient tachypnea
Neonatal pneumonia

Question 12

Define ‘medical technology’

Answer 12

Products, services or solutions used for medical benefit - prevention, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and care.
Incorporates both medical devices and medical equipment

Question 13

Define ‘medical devices’

Answer 13

An article, instrument, apparatus or machine that is used in the prevention diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease, or for detecting, measuring, restoring, correcting or modifying the structure or function of the body for some health purpose.

Question 14

Define ‘medical equipment’

Answer 14

Medical devices requiring calibration, maintenance, repair, user training and decommissioning - activities usually managed by clinical engineers. Used for specific purposes of diagnosis and treatment of disease and rehab

Question 15

Name the medical devices used to deliver treatment to neonates

Answer 15

Intravenous drips
Umbilical catheters
Feeding tubes

Question 16

Explain the admissions to the NICU

Answer 16

24/7 care
Generally within 24 hours of birth
May stay for a few hours, days, weeks, months
Patients within NICU can be transferred within the hospital: radiology, surgical theatres
Patients can be transferred between hospitals to specialised care
Parents are accommodated - it is beneficial for the patient and parents to have the families together