Daily rountine

Most of the time, NICU is quiet and peaceful. At times during the day, it can suddenly become very busy as various routine activities take place. This chart below outlines the planned timings for regular events, but these may change from day to day depending on what is happening on the Unit.

The busiest events are ward rounds. These take place twice a day.

  • At 8:30am the night shift hand over to the day shirt. Your nurse will fully brief their replacement on you baby's condition and report on the night's activities. At the same time there is a surgical ward round when the surgeons visit their patients. Although you may be asked to leave the ward while other babies are being examined, you will be asked in while your baby is being seen. This is a very good time to be on the ward so that you can ask the Doctors any questions you have about your baby.
  • At 12:00 (mid day) there is another ward round

In addition, at 8:30 on Fridays, all the surgeons come to the Unit and at 8:30pm daily the day shift hand over to the night shift.

Standard morning routine from midnight

  0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11  
Main nursing day shift                                                
Main nursing night shift                                                
Nurse short shift 1                                                
Baby feeding 1, 2, 3 or 4 hour routine or demand fed
Nappy changing 6 hourly (to avoid disturbing baby) or as required
Medication*                                                
IV (drip) change*                                                
Ward rounds                                                
Surgical ward rounds                                                

 

Standard afternoon routine from midday

  12   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11  
Main nursing day shift                                                
Main nursing night shift                                                
Nurse short shift 1                                                
Nurse short shift 2                                                
Baby feeding 1, 2, 3 or 4 hour routine or demand fed
Nappy changing 6 hourly (to avoid disturbing baby) or as required
Medication*                                                
IV (drip) change*                                                
Ward rounds                                                
Surgical ward rounds                                                

* These are the times for regular IV and medication. Times are changed according to babies needs.

During the day, you may see other people on the ward.

  • The stoma nurse and physiotherapist will visit as required

  • The dietician usually visits on Wednesdays but will come onto the ward as required

  • All babies on the unit are given a hearing test (as are all newborn babies at St Michaels), normally on Tuesday or Wednesday morning.

  • Vision tests can take place at any time

  • If well enough, babies will be offered routine childhood vaccinations at the appropriate times.

Finally, there is a coffee morning on Thursdays at 10:00am in the Coffee Room.

 

 

 

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Bristol Childrens Hospital Peter Dunn Neonatal Intensive Care Unit