Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and their development
Featuring Sue Horner, MS, RNC, Developmental Specialist, NICU
When Sue Horner decided she wanted to work in neonatal care, someone told her “Babies in the NICU are the most fragile human beings and these are their bedrooms.”
Sue took that to heart when she began working in the NICU — looking and listening closely to the developmental differences of these special needs babies. Sue is one of four nurse clinicians at Children’s Memorial Hospital with a NIDCAP (Newborn Individual Development Care and Assessment Program) certification.
On any given day, Sue observes the smallest and slightest of cues that sick or premature infants might provide to indicate where they are in relation todevelopment or to assess their specific needs. Her analysis helps nurses, doctors and families understand the amazing and highly unique differences from one child to the next.
“Parents may tell me that their baby doesn’t wake up to eat at night, but in reality, a premature infant may wake up as often as a full-term baby,” Sue says. “The difference is that their cues might be much less obvious. They may only have the strength at that point of development to wake up and blink, not cry as parents might expect them to.”
Sue’s incredible intuitive ability with the littlest of patients has led to her influential participation in the creation of the NICU for the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. As part of designing the new unit, Sue seeks to Identify the subtle, developmental details that will make all the difference.
“We’re looking into private rooms for each baby and family,” Sue says. “It will be like their own little bedrooms, taking into consideration that light levels, temperature, sound, sensitivity to touch and interaction are all critical factors in the successful development and wellness of these fragile little human beings.” She credits the development of a patient- and family-centered NICU at Children’s Memorial Hospital to an administration and NICU team that support innovation and the fostering of a nurturing environment for babies and their families.
{This article is included in the 2008 Nursing Report.]