Maintaining normothermia in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during their initial hours in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is crucial to preventing long-term health complications.
In 2023, despite best efforts with preheated incubators, thermal mattresses, and polyethylene wraps, over 30% of VLBW babies arrived at the NICU with abnormal temperatures. To address this, NICU nurse Carrie Capansky, BSN, RN, and the Newborn Delivery Attendance Committee launched an initiative in July 2023 to provide heated and humidified gases during resuscitation and transfer to the NICU for babies under 32 weeks gestation or weighing less than 1500 grams. Education on this new approach was provided to neonatologists, registered nurses, and respiratory therapists. Since the implementation of this protocol in January 2024, only 2 VLBW infants have arrived hypothermic in the NICU, significantly improving patient outcomes and promoting better thermoregulation from the moment of birth.