Children's Health

New Technology Made Possible by Philanthropy

Body Cooling, Giraffe Beds, Panda Warmers and Transport Isolette Among Recent Advances in Neonatal Center

Four new technologies are advancing care in the Neonatal Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital thanks to generous donors.’

• Body cooling is now being used to help minimize potential brain damage for newborns deprived of oxygen during birth.’
• At the other end of the temperature spectrum, a new warming device is being used to regulate body temperatures of fragile newborns.’
• Fifty Giraffe OmniBeds’ serve as state-of-the-art neonatal care stations for critically ill babies.’
• Infants needing intensive care from community hospitals throughout Michigan will be transported in a new, advanced-technology transport isolette.

“Technological developments improve our ability to provide advanced care to ill newborns,” said Ed Beaumont, MD, neonatologist, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.’ “Whether a baby is born with complications of prematurity or has difficulties at full term, our neonatal center provides infants with the environment, treatment and other care needed to achieve optimal health.”

Body Cooling

Used for newborns with limited oxygen during birth or’hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy ‘(HIE), body cooling offers these newborns and their families hope of overcoming the negative effects of oxygen deprivation.
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“We have a small window of opportunity to intervene following delivery,” said Ben Doctor, MD, neonatologist, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. “Treatment must start within the first few hours after birth to be effective. When done early enough, cooling the body helps minimize brain damage that can result from a lack of oxygen.”

In body cooling, the baby’s body temperature is lowered to 33.5 degrees Centigrade or 91 degrees Fahrenheit for 72 hours with a cooling blanket.’

“Cooling the body likely helps prevent secondary brain injury,” added Doctor. “Research is ongoing but evidence is mounting to support this becoming the standard of care.”

Panda Warmers

Panda’ iRes Warmers, named for the bear known for keeping her babies warm and cozy, are keeping critically ill newborns warm.’ Temperature regulation and respiratory management are two of the most basic yet crucial aspects of care for newborns. The new advanced-technology Panda iRes Warmers provide both, using a state-of-the-art heat source and an integrated, positive-pressure resuscitation system.

Giraffe OmniBeds

All babies in the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’neonatal intensive care unit‘are now receiving care in Giraffe OmniBeds. The’beds‘are for much more than sleeping. Each unit is a fully-equipped neonatal care station that can be raised and lowered, hence the “giraffe” name.

The stations also feature rotating, X-ray cassette trays, internal bed tilt and integrated in-bed scales. The rail system provides mounting for IV poles, pumps, shelves and other accessories. The elevating base accommodates taller caregivers or special procedures. A controlled humidifier, oxygen system and temperature controls maintain precise, optimum conditions. Alarm noises and lights are designed so as not to disturb the infant. This all-in-one care environment minimizes the need to transfer fragile babies for incubation, oxygen or warming therapy.

Transport Isolette

The neonatal transport team at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is responsible for assessment, stabilization, and transportation of critically ill infants. A new transport isolette will provide infants with the most up-to-date transport environment. The new isolette is designed to transport infants who require advanced forms of respiratory life support with equipment that is easy to move. More than 250 infants are transported annually to the neonatal intensive care unit.

“Premature infants face many issues and are medically complex,” added Beaumont. “Their long- term outcome is heavily dependent on how well they are cared for during their initial treatment. The new technology helps clinicians provide the most up-to-date and evidence-based care for fragile newborns.”

A gift from the Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation to the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation supported the addition of 50 Giraffe OmniBeds to the 17 beds already in use, five Panda Warmers and a new transport isolette. Emotionally touched by the small size of premature infants and aware of the high-tech equipment needed to care for the most fragile newborns, the Von Voigtlander Foundation wanted to ensure all babies have the best physical environment.’

“While touring the neonatal center and observing tiny babies fighting for their lives, I knew we could make an immediate and lifesaving difference by providing the Giraffe OmniBeds and other necessary equipment,” said Gwen Haggerty, president, Ted and Jane Von Voigtlander Foundation.’ “My parents would be so pleased to know that their Foundation is helping to save these tiny lives by providing the best possible environment and technology.”

The gift from Von Voigtlander Foundation is also supporting bereavement training for neonatal intensive care unit staff members. Resolve Through Sharing provides nurses the opportunity to enhance their skills in working with families experiencing miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth or newborn death.

The Neonatal Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is the 10th largest in the nation. Staff includes nine physicians who are board certified neonatologists and more than 200 neonatal nurse practitioners and staff nurses who care for more than 1,200 babies annually.

The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundation’s mission is to save lives and advance the health and well-being of children and families, through philanthropy.’ To learn how you can make a difference, visit’devoschildrens.org/give.

Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is West Michigan’s largest children’s hospital, serving children and families throughout a 37-county region. A teaching hospital, it includes more than 150 pediatric specialty physicians uniquely skilled in providing medical and surgical care to children in more than 40 pediatric specialties. The hospital cares for more than 7,600 inpatients and 190,000 outpatients annually. Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is committed to caring for children and families with compassion, excellence and innovation.’ Visit’devoschildrens.org‘for more information.