Children's Miracle Network helps critically ill babies
While hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at MeritCare Children's Hospital, Noah Ness received advanced care made possible by your contributions to the Children's Miracle Network (CMN). Examples of equipment and expertise funded by CMN dollars include:
Well-equipped transport isolettes
An all-in-one unit, a transport isolette provides consistent warmth, a ventilator to help with breathing, an intravenous pump for giving medicine and fluids and advanced monitors to closely track vital signs. For Noah, this "NICU on wheels" helped ensure a safe, healthy transport from Bemidji, Minn., to Fargo.
Pediatric ventilators
Ventilators designed especially for babies keep lungs as healthy as possible and prevent long-term problems. During his two weeks in the NICU, Noah benefited from several types of ventilators, including one that comfortably delivered his lifesaving nitric oxide treatment.
Specialized beds and latest technology
With several configurations, Giraffe-Omni™ beds adjust quickly to meet critically ill babies' fast-changing needs. Babies also benefit from the quiet, well-controlled environment created by these state-of-the-art beds. Because they're expensive – $36,000 each – the beds have been purchased gradually. This year, thanks to CMN support, the NICU will be able to purchase two more.
Advanced monitoring systems
Nurses in the NICU constantly track a baby's heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation and more. Advanced monitoring systems increase accuracy and contribute to a baby's comfort. In the coming year, these systems will also incorporate scanning technology to maximize medication safety.
NICU flight nurse expertise
Each year, highly trained NICU flight nurses pursue continuing education to stay current. One of the most recent advances requiring education is "Cool Cap" technology. This innovation aims to limit brain damage in babies who suffer severe oxygen loss.
To learn more about how your CMN support makes a difference, call (701) 234-5036 or (800) 437-4010 or visit cmn.meritcare.com.
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