Technology and Procedures in the NICU
Adapted from The Future of Children, Spring 1995, page 141
Environmental Control
- Incubators
 - Radiant warmers
 - Servo-controlled thermoregulation
 - Heat shields
 - Plastic wrap
 - Humidification
 - Control of noise and light
 
Vascular Access
- Umbilical artery/vein catheters
 - Peripheral artery/vein catheters
 - Central venous catheters
 - Infusion and syringe pumps
 
Physiologic Monitoring
- Temperature
 - Cardiorespiratory
- Electrocardiogram
 - Thoracic impedance
 - Apnea/bradycardia alarms
 - Trend monitors
 
 - Systemic blood presure
- Oscillometric method
 - Indwelling artery catheter
 
 - Central venous pressure
- Oxygenation/ventilation
 - Arterial blood sampling
 - Capillary blood sampling
 - Pulse oximetry
 - Transcutaneous PO2, PCO2
 - End-tidal CO2
 
 - Pulmonary function testing
 
Laboratory Testing
- Micro sampling methods
 - Bedside glucose testing
 - Routine chemistry, hematology, serology
 - Microbiology
 - Pulmonary maturity
 - Genetic analysis
 - Metabolic screening
 
Diagnostic Imaging
- Radiography
 - Ultrasonography
 - Doppler echocardiography
 - CT scanning
 - MRI scanning
 - Nuclear medicine scanning
 
Nutritional Support
- Parenteral nutrition
 - Enteral feeding techniques
 - Special formulas
 - Breast milk supplements
 - Vitamins
 - Minerals
 - Trace elements
 
Blood Products
- Red blood cells
 - White blood cells
 - Platelets
 - Plasma
 - Cryoprecipitate
 - Coagulation factors
 - Irradiation of blood products
 
Respiratory Support
- Supplemental oxygen
 - Continuous positive airway pressure
 - Chest physiotherapy
 - Conventional ventilation
 - High-frequency ventilation
 - Surfactant
 - Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
 
Delivery Room Resuscitation
- Oxygen by mask
 - Endotracheal tubes
 - Ambu bags
 - Rusch bags
 - Suction catheters
 - Radiant warmers
 - Warm blankets
 - Venous umbilical catheters
 
Neonatal Pharmacotherapeutics
- Diuretics
 - Xanthines
 - Steroids
 - Indomethacin
 - Antimicrobials
 - Heparin
 - Vasopressors
 - Sedatives/analgesics
 
Phototherapy
Neonatal Surgery/Anaesthesia
Psychosocial Interventions
- Unlimited parental visiting
 - Parental involvement in care
 - Skin-to-skin contact
 - Infant stimulation
 - Reducing noxious stimuli
 - Nonnutritive sucking
 
Neonatal Transport
- Skilled transport teams
 - Transport incubator
 - Air/ground transport
 
Other Diagnostic Testing
- Electroencephalogram
 - Evoked response audiometry (BAER)
 
Last Updated on 08/11/22