Posted: 12/9/2013
One of the very special moments for new parents is the baby’s
first bath. However, it can be a challenging process if you don’t
have the right equipment. Parents or staff must cradle the baby
with one hand and try to wash and adjust the water with the
other. Or, an extra insert must be added to support the baby,
allowing the baby to rest on a sloped surface while the parent or
staff washes it.
To make the process a little easier, new sinks were designed
especially for baby bath time in the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
at new Parkland. They support the baby in a reclining position
making it easier for parents and staff to ensure the safety of the
baby during bath time.
“Newborns need to be supported during the bath and are
slippery when wet,” said Paula Turicchi, Senior Vice President
of
Women and Infants’ Specialty Health. “Traditional sinks are
awkwardly shaped for newborn baths.”
The benefits of the custom-designed sinks support Parkland’s
goal for providing safe and quality health care, for all patients.
Eliminating the baby bathtub insert is safer and more efficient,
Paula said.
“After the bath, there is no extra equipment dripping water
onto the floor during cleaning and drying; no storage space
required for the inserts; and no trash if the inserts become
damaged or unusable,” Paula said. “When baths are finished,
the sinks can be used as normal for hand washing.”