Having a baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is one of the most challenging times a parent can face. All you can think about is, “Is he okay?” “Will I be able to hold her?” “How are they holding up?” “I just need my baby home with me.”
The experience is hard. Exhausting. Terrifying. As a teenager, I remember watching my aunt and uncle navigate this very experience.
December 20th, 2017. That’s when my cousin, Anna, came into the world. From the day she was born, Anna was a fighter. She was born prematurely at just 32 weeks, weighing only 1 pound and 12.6 ounces. She was also diagnosed with Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, and spent the first six months of her life in the NICU.
From the very beginning, Anna faced challenges that most of us can hardly imagine. Watching my aunt and uncle navigate those first six months was a reminder of just how fragile life can be, especially for babies who need extra care from the moment they enter this world. And yet, she kept fighting.
At one point, Anna developed an MRSA eye infection. MRSA can be a type of bacteria that causes infections, and it can be especially concerning in the NICU. Because premature babies have developing immune systems, they can be more vulnerable to certain infections. Treating MRSA can also be especially difficult, because it is resistant to several commonly used antibiotics.
HAIs in the NICU
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), like the one Anna had, are an ongoing concern in healthcare. Globally, about 1 in 10 patients are affected by an HAI during medical care, and for babies in the NICU, it’s a very vulnerable time. However, research has shown that continued improvements in infection prevention measures can significantly reduce the rate of HAIs. Noticing the unique challenges of babies in the NICU, healthcare professionals have developed a more comprehensive approach to infection prevention.
Medical technology has played a critical role in shaping how infection prevention is practiced in the NICU. At Seal Shield, we understand the role technology plays in infection prevention. A big part of our mission is prevent infections and save lives through technology. Here’s a few ways our hospital-grade technology can help protect babies like Anna from infection.
Washable, Waterproof Keyboards, & Mice
Research has shown that keyboards and mice can harbor bacteria, including harmful pathogens. In a 2005 study, researchers found that MRSA and VRE bacteria could survive on keyboards and keyboard covers for up to 24 hours. And in settings like the NICU, where healthcare professionals are constantly monitoring babies and coordinating care, those shared work surfaces can matter a lot.
Seal Shield’s washable, waterproof keyboards and mice are designed to make cleaning easier. They’re fully waterproof and compatible with medical-grade disinfectants, so staff can clean them regularly as part of their infection prevention protocols. By making those everyday tools easier to disinfect, we can support staff in keeping their workstations clean, especially in places like the NICU where babies need that extra protection.
Rapid UV Sanitizers
At a neonatal conference I recently attended, I spoke intimately with several NICU nurses, managers and directors. Something I heard quite often was how parents are often asked to put their phones, jewelry and other personal belongings in plastic baggies before entering the NICU. Some even mentioned considering banning phone use altogether.
Keeping phones clean is important, but it’s also important for parents to be able to take pictures, call family, and stay connected while their baby is in the NICU. If parents want to keep their phones and NICU staff need to meet infection prevention requirements, is there a way to make both possible?
The good news is yes, and many hospitals have already implemented the solution. Some hospitals have started adopting UV-C sanitizers as an alternative to plastic baggies, giving parents another way to sanitize their phones while staying connected to their babies.
Seal Shield’s rapid UV sanitizers are deployed in more than 75 NICUs worldwide, including Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and many more.
We found that placing our CleanSlate UV Sanitizers in convenient, high-traffic spots, like handwashing stations, nursing stations, reception areas, and locker rooms, makes sanitization a natural part of the daily flow. When devices can be sanitized right where people already wash their hands or check in, it makes it feel less like an extra task and more like a normal step in their routine.
All of our UV solutions have over 99.9% efficacy against bacteria such as C. diff, C. auris, and MRSA. When used to sanitize frequently handled devices, UV-C technology can help reduce opportunities for harmful pathogens to spread.
For Babies like Anna
Thankfully, Anna was able to fight off her infection. But it’s scary to think that she may not have. Thank you so much to the NICU team at UF Health Shands who cared for Anna through those first difficult months. Your support meant a lot to our family during that time.
HAIs like the one Anna had are leading causes of preventable death in the NICU, especially for higher risk neonates. At Seal Shield, we want to help reduce those risks where we can by supporting infection prevention in the NICU. We want to support the healthcare professionals who work diligently to keep their patients safe, the parents waiting to hold their babies and take those first pictures, and babies like Anna getting the chance to go home.
About the Author
Lacorya (Cory) Roark is a Marketing Specialist at Seal Shield, where she helps share the stories behind technology designed to support infection prevention and patient safety. She enjoys finding ways to connect the work Seal Shield does with the people and experiences that make it matter.
