Definition
Newborn admission to a hospital or neonatal unit is a structured process that ensures the infant receives timely, safe, and developmentally appropriate care. It involves clinical stabilization, documentation, and family-centered communication.
Types of Admission
- General inpatient units.
- Emergency and urgent care departments.
- Pediatric intensive care units.
- Outpatient or special procedure units.
- Rehabilitation unit or hospital.
Indications for Admission to Isolation Room
- Very sick children who need complete rest and calm environment.
- Immunocompromised children, for example, children with cancer.
- Children with communicable diseases.
- Children who need respiratory or contact isolation.
Equipment Needed
- Bed, crib, isolette, warmer, or bassinet.
- Blankets, linens, bath towel, and wash clothes.
- Toiletry items.
- Jar with drinking water and glass.
- Diapers and wipe (if needed).
- Bedpan and urinal.
- Identification band for child.
- Scissors.
- Measuring tape.
- Weighing machine.
- Thermometer.
- Sphygmomanometer.
- Stethoscope.
- Pulse oximeter (if needed).
- Patient admission documentation forms.
Preparation of Child for Hospitalization
- Read stories about experience with hospital or surgery. Talk about going to the hospital and what it will be like coming home.
- Be honest and encourage child to ask questions.
- Visit the hospital areas and go through the preadmission tour if time permits.
- Plan support to the child via your presence, telephone calls, and special items brought from home.
- Encourage the child to draw pictures to express how he or she is feeling.
- Include siblings in preparation.
Nurse’s Responsibility in Admission Procedure
- Establish a trusting, caring relationship with the child and family.
- Smile, introduce yourself, and give your title.
- Explain the child and family members what will happen and what is expected of them.
- Ask the family and the child what names they prefer to be called by.
- Maintain eye contact at the appropriate level.
- Communicate with children at age-appropriate levels.
- Involve an orientation to the hospital unit.
- Briefly explain policies and routines and the personnel who involved in the care of the child.
- Obtain information about the child’s history, routines, and reason for admission.
- Obtain baseline vital signs, height, and weight and perform a physical assessment.
- Recognize the needs of the family and child during interview process.
- A small bag can be brought to the hospital that contains child’s clothes (hospital policy); slippers; hobby materials; and personal care items such as comb, brush, and toothpaste.
Procedure
- Perform hand hygiene.
- Assemble all the necessary equipment.
- Check the room equipment for proper functioning (e.g., light, fan, and tap).
- Prepare bed by adjusting to lowest horizontal position with top sheet and perform complete assessment of the child, which includes vital signs, height, weight, physical examination, and growth and developmental assessment.
- Explore the needs and desires of the caregivers regarding their comfort and their involvement in the direct care of their child.
- Collect specimens, such as blood and urine as ordered and send it for laboratory analysis.
- Depending upon the condition of the child, an orientation can be given to the unit stressing the areas of importance and greatest relevance (e.g., play room, toilet facility, and pantry).
- Assist the child in maintaining personal hygiene and changing to hospital dress (hospital policy).
- Administer any medication if ordered.
- Explain the policies and protocols of hospital to the parents.
Special Considerations
- Preterm or low birth weight infants may require NICU admission and respiratory support.
- Infants of diabetic mothers need close glucose monitoring.
- Suspected sepsis: Start antibiotics after blood cultures.
- Congenital anomalies: Notify pediatric specialists early.
- Cultural sensitivity: Respect family beliefs and preferences during care planning.
REFERENCES
- Annamma Jacob, Rekha, Jhadav Sonali Tarachand: Clinical Nursing Procedures: The Art of Nursing Practice, 5th Edition, March 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-9356961845 ISBN-10: 9356961840
- Omayalachi CON, Manual of Nursing Procedures and Practice, Vol 1, 3 Edition 2023, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN: 978-9393553294
- Sandra Nettina, Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice, 11th Edition, January 2019, Published by Wolters Kluwer’s, ISBN-13:978-9388313285
- Marcia London, Ruth Bindler, Principles of Paediatric Nursing: Caring for Children, 8th Edition, 2023, Pearson Publications, ISBN-13: 9780136859840
- Naveen Bajaj, Rajesh Kumar, Manual of Newborn Nursing, 2nd Edition, 2023, Jaypee Publishers, ISBN:978-9354659294
- Ernstmeyer K, Christman E, editors. Nursing Fundamentals [Internet]. 2nd edition. Eau Claire (WI): Chippewa Valley Technical College; 2024. PART IV, NURSING PROCESS. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK610818/
Stories are the threads that bind us; through them, we understand each other, grow, and heal.
JOHN NOORD
Connect with “Nurses Lab Editorial Team”
I hope you found this information helpful. Do you have any questions or comments? Kindly write in comments section. Subscribe the Blog with your email so you can stay updated on upcoming events and the latest articles.
