Guide to Neonatal Medical Devices

It should come as no surprise that newborns and paediatric patients have very specific medical needs. Often, the equipment and devices used on adult patients are simply not suitable. Developing safe devices for neonatal care — not just smaller versions of products used to treat adults — is an industry in itself.

Paragon Care is committed to helping our clients help their smallest and youngest patients. Our product portfolio includes a number of devices used to treat and screen neonatal and paediatric patients that are both safe and effective.

Neonatal defined

The neonatal period is defined as the first four weeks of a newborn’s life. It is a time of rapid development and comes with its own risks and potential complications.

There are many reasons why a neonatal patient may be admitted to a hospital. Those born prematurely often require monitoring for the first few weeks of their life. Congenital diseases and disorders can present themselves at this early stage. Feeding difficulties are also relatively common and may require special attention to ensure the patient receives adequate nutrition.

Paediatric health, on the other hand, relates to infants, children, and in some cases, adolescents. The conditions that may affect these individuals are as broad as those you associate with adult patients.

Neonatal equipment

Designing neonatal and paediatric medical devices can be challenging. There are additional safety considerations and equipment that is approved to use on a newborn may not be appropriate for a slightly older infant.

Paragon Care’s comprehensive product portfolio includes a number of devices that can aid clinicians safely treat young patients. Continue reading for an overview of these devices; for more information, please submit a Product Information Request.

Brain monitoring

Brain monitoring — also known as electroencephalogram — has not always been common in the neonatal ward. However, clinicians are finding it an increasingly useful way to determine whether a newborn is suffering from seizures, which often have limited signs in a neonatal patient.

Understanding an infant’s brain health can assist to make critical decisions regarding treatment and care.

Electrodes

Electrodes are used to carry electricity from an instrument to a patient. It goes without saying that adult electrodes are not suitable to be used on an infant or newborn. Paragon Care provides electrodes of a variety of shapes, sizes, gels, types, materials, and adhesion levels.

Enteral feeding

Newborns suffering from low birth weight or gastrointestinal issues that make feeding difficult may require enteral care. A tube attached to the stomach or small intestine can help neonatal patients receive valuable nutrients and medication.

Infusion therapy

Infants admitted to critical care, surgical wards, or even a general hospital setting may require infusion therapy. There is always the risk of infection occurring with this type of treatment. For particularly young or small patients, the consequences of cross-contamination can be significant.

Paragon Care’s Closed Medication Administration Sets have been designed with needle free adaptors and stopcocks to reduce this risk.

Jaundice management

Jaundice is a relatively common condition that will often clear by itself. For those newborns who require extra care and attention, Paragon Care offers a number of non-invasive solutions and therapy devices.

Neonatal vision screening

Neonatal vision screening is undertaken to help detect abnormalities that could lead to severe vision impairment later in life. This routine testing requires the use of a range of specialist instruments to visualise the retina and diagnose conditions accurately.

Newborn hearing screening

Early detection and intervention for auditory conditions is crucial and can significantly improve the outcomes of neonatal patients. Hearing loss can be associated with head injury, congenital abnormality, or serious disease, including meningitis.

NICU video monitoring

Having a newborn patient admitted to the NICU ward can be a stressful experience. Software that enables families to view their children in the NICU can help relieve some of this anxiety in a simple and effective manner.

Procedural kits

Procedural kits help clinicians treating all types of patients — from newborn to geriatric — provide high-quality care. By using a tailored procedural kit, clinicians can have confidence that all the tools and products they need are right by their side.

Temperature management

Hypothermia and hyperthermia are relatively common in neonatal patients but if left untreated, can have serious consequences. Specialist products and devices are required to slowly and safely return a newborn patient to an appropriate internal body temperature in the operating room, recovery room, and intensive care unit.

For further information about Paragon Care’s product portfolio and approach to neonatal medical device management, contact our friendly and experienced team today.