Did you know that neonatal intensive care units(NICUs) did not exist until the early 1960s? Neonatology did not begin until the 1970s. There are many types of technologies in the NICU. My focus will be on technology as objects. Some types of technologies that are found in the NICU are incubators, warmers, ventilators, monitors, infusion pumps, and diagnostic imaging, just to name a few. A main focus of the NICU is caring for premature infants who should be their mother's womb. Using technology a combination incubator/warmer was invented and is used to mimic a womb like environment. Two different types of these machines are the Versalet made by Air Shields and the Giraffe Omnibed made by GE Healthcare. Personally I believe the Giraffe Omnibed is fantastic. Incubators have come a long way. From 1896 to 1943 there existed Incubator Baby Side Shows. At Coney Island one could pay an entrance fee to see the incubator babies. Parents would allow this because they were not able to afford incubator care. It does not seem like that long ago. Must not have been HIPPA around.
References: http://www.neonatology.org/tour/technology.html
http://www.advancesinneonatalcare.org
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Leah,
ReplyDeleteI found your facts to be interesting, as well as, amusing--especially about the Incubator Baby Side Shows. Sounds a bit sad, but great side tid-bit! I don't know anything about incubators so I look forward to hearing more about them. What is it about the Giraffe Omnibed that makes it fantastic?
A nurse friend of mine who works at Texas Children's Hospital was working with NASA to figure out a way to decrease vibrations during the transport of neonates; I'm not sure where it is in the study, but I will let you know if I find out more.
NICU departments are amazing! The technology you have is definitely critical in caring for premature babies. It is assisting in keeping babies alive and increasing their chances of growing up healthy. How can we not be appreciative of how far technology has advanced since even the 60’s?
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