CARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR

INCUBATOR

“Incubare” latin = to lie on

A microenvironment to place newborns

who are at high risk, for maintenance of
temperature and humidity.
DEFINITION
Incubator is an apparatus
for maintaining an infant,
especially a premature
infant, in an environment of
controlled temperature,
humidity, and oxygen
concentration.(Online
medical dictionary).
 Incubators have simple alarm system to

alert the clinical staffs if there is any danger of

overheating of the device. In some cases power

is reduced automatically to prevent overheating

PRINCIPLE OF INCUBATOR
 Infant incubator is in the form of trolley
normally with mattress on the top covered by
plastic cover. This chamber provides a clean
environment and helps to protect the baby
noise, infection, and excessive handling.
PRINCIPLE OF INCUBATOR

 A temperature sensor is tapped into the baby’s

skin and the incubator heater adjusts to
maintain the baby at a constant temperature or
the temperature is controlled by thermostat in
the heated air stream.
PURPOSES

 Maintenance of thermo neutral ambient

temperature.

 Provision of desired humidity and oxygenation.

 Observation of very sick neonates.

 Isolation of newborn babies from infection,

unfavorable external environment and
stimulations.
INDICATION
 Premature babies

 Babies with low birth weight (<1500gm)

 Hypothermic child (<320C)

 Sick children

 Also used in case of transportation of babies from one

hospital to another.

 Also used to shift babies within the hospital for

various investigations. E.g, CT Scan and MRI.
MAIN FUNCTIONS OF INFANT INCUBATORS ARE:

1.Temperature control

2.O2 Concentration

3.Humidity control

4.Breathing gas filtration

TYPES

1. Portable

2. Standard
Types:

Incubation can be of various types

1. Portable and non portable– Portable incubation

can be used to shift the patient to another area of
hospital as needed.

2. Open box type- It is also known as Armstrong, here

neonate is keep on the Plexiglas bassinet to keep
unstable babies or newly born babies. A radiant
warmer can be attached if child needs.
The main disadvantage of this type of incubator is it can not

maintain thermo-neutral environment if lids are open

frequently. Despite it can not filter the air and neonate is

directly in the contact with external environment. It has only

advantage that neonate in this incubator can be observed

well and can be handled easily.

3. Close type - Close type of incubator has special
function to concentrate fresh air after filtration.
It prevents water loss from radiation. As
neonate remain inside the box the

risk of infection is minimum.

4. Double walled- The incubator has two walls. As

air is not good conductor of heat the incubator
prevents heat and fluid loss.
PARTS OF AN INCUBATOR

Hood / canopy  Control panel

Cabinet  Oxygen inlet
Access panel  Thermostat
Mattress  Air inlet filter
Arm port holes  Access port
Bassinet  Caster lock
Latch release  Levers
DISPLAY

 Air temperature

 Patient temperature

 Control temperature
PROCEDURE
1. Warm and oxygenate the incubator as you receive the
message of expected arrival of neonate, generally 10-
15 minutes earlier.

2. Check the physician’s order.

3. Explain the needs of incubator care to the parents of

neonate.

4. Adjust the incubation parameters and maintain, follow

the chart.

5. Remove the cloths of the neonate and place inside

the incubator.
6. Provide meticulous care as long neonate
remains inside.

7. Continue care through port hole.

8. Report to the doctor if baby is not maintaining

the temperature, generally after two abnormal
readings.

9. Do not bring the neonate out without justifiable

cause.

10. Document time and condition of the neonate

11. No alarm should be ignored

NURSING CARE OF CHILD
STEP 1.Prepare the incubator

Pre-warmed to a temperature appropriate to

the infant’s age, size and condition.

 Use in Air mode and must always be switched

on with the motor running if in use for a baby.

 Check and record the incubator temperature

hourly.

 Position away from draughts or direct sunlight.

Note: Ensure alarms self-test has been completed

(automatic). If the unit fails the self test, the alarm

sounds, and one or more messages are displayed

in the trend/alarm window.

STEP 2:Care of Baby

 Maintain axilla temperature between 36.5°C and 37.2°C

 Access baby by using the portholes, limit opening of large

door as this interferes with air temperature.

 Ensure baby is nursed naked apart from a nappy.

 Position baby utilizing rolled towels/cloth nappies to

provide boundaries that support ‘nesting’ and flexion of
limbs but keeping face clear
Explain to parents/caregivers the purpose of an incubator for
their baby
 Ensure they are familiar with how to access baby as it is
optimal for parents to continue to touch and provide comfort.
 Maintain a quiet environment
 There is no tapping on the canopy.
 No equipment is placed on top of the canopy.
 Careful opening and closing of doors.
STEP 3:Adjusting incubator temperature

Default incubator temperature in NICU is 35 degrees

 Adjust the incubator temperature by no more or less

than 0.5 of a degree at a time.

 Re-check the temperature within half an hour of

making any adjustment.

STEP 4:Monitoring

 Axilla temperature is taken on admission into

the incubator and rechecked in the first hour.

 Temperature is documented 4-6 hourly as per

the condition.
STEP 5: Use of Humidification Is utilized for

incubator care of preterm babies only – NOT

required for babies >32weeks.

CLEANING AND STERILIZATION
 When the incubator is occupied, it should be cleaned
daily with mild detergent.

 Humidifier chamber must be emptied and cleaned

daily, fill with fresh distilled water.

 After seven days neonate should be sifted to another

incubator and used incubator should be cleaned with
antiseptic solution.

 1-2 ml of Glacial acetic acid or vinegar can be added

to water in the humidifier to prevent bacterial growth.
Special considerations-
1. It is important that the incubator should not
interfere with observation of the neonate and
quality of care.
2. Sensory stimuli like light and pain should be
kept to the minimal.
3. When neonate develops fever, the incubator
modes have to be changed in normal modes.
4. When the neonate is nursed in prone position,
skin sensor is placed over the flank and it
should not touch the bed.

5. The neonate in the incubator should not be

bathed.

6. The daily linens should be kept within the

Nursery to keep warm.

7. No alarm should be ignored.

THANK YOU