Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 8)

da seve rit y of br ain em re duce s th e e Co ol -C ap syst d flow. Th bl oo icient ox ygen or caus ed by in suff m age NICU Education for Parents Going home with a baby who is born prematurely can be overwhelming, no matter how experienced the parents. Although every baby is an individual, premature babies might prefer less noise, find it harder to calm and comfort themselves, be more time consuming to look after and be noisy sleepers. To more fully prepare parents of premature babies, Gwinnett Medical Center’s Gwinnett Women’s Pavilion is now providing a new educational tool, NICU Knowledge, available in English and Spanish. The new patienteducation program includes three rolling carts with computers. Parents can select teaching modules on topics such as car seat safety, CPR, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and an introduction to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which specifically highlights equipment and medical terminology. “Through NICU Knowledge, we can be sure that every mother is provided comprehensive information on caring for her premature baby,” says Deborrah Furse, clinical manager of GMC’s NICU. “Furthermore, because mothers are frequently in the NICU for many weeks at a time, they can review the programs at their own pace and watch them multiple times.” NICU Knowledge was purchased through a gift from Myron and Theresa Bullock of Lawrenceville, who are proud grandparents to five children. brain for a few days, then slowly rewarming it for four hours. The technology, which must be applied within six hours after birth, reduces the severity of neurologic injury. Dr. Leigh and fellow GMC neonatologist Dan Suskin, M.D., purchased the equipment for the hospital a few years ago. “Because Cool-Cap technology allows real-time monitoring, we recognized increased brain activity in Cooper over the next 24 to 48 hours,” Dr. Leigh says. “His improvement was remarkable.” CARING STAFF “Initially, I didn’t think he was going to live,” says Garner, a second grade teacher at Chattahoochee Elementary in Duluth. “In his ﬁrst hours of life, I was unable to see him because of the severity of his case; however, a nurse brought a picture of him, which I slept with. The team of nurses and physicians at GMC always called me and my husband with updates, and provided information when we called. By then, I was friends with the nurses. “Learning to handle and care for a NICU baby was overwhelming,” Garner continues. “However, the nursing staff guided me so that we could care for Cooper, although there were times when they were taking care of me. The staff and physicians at GMC provided a loving experience.” On his 10th day, Cooper was released to go home with his mother, father and big brother. Today, he’s a lively 1-year-old. At his checkups at 6 months and 1 year, the Garner miracle baby, as he’s called, met all physical, emotional and mental indicators of normal development. In fact, it’s hard to keep up with this baby, who was once wrapped in lifesaving technology. 8 Vim & Vigor · SP R I N G 2 012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil’s Feature
The Philanthropist Next Door
Special Delivery
Get Real
How Far We’ve Come
Patient Survival Guide
Perfect Attendance
A New Day
Lean on Me
Intimidated by the Gym?
What Is Your Volunteer Style?
A Prescription for Relief
PrimeTime Health
Reclaiming Form and Function
Nice Follow-Through
Out of the White Coat
SPECIAL: Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Spring 2012 - Gwinnett Medical Center