Overview
NICU Nursing Protocols
Core Nursing
- Hand Hygiene - Most important infection control measure
- Baby Focused Nursing Care - Individualized neonatal care approach
- Temperature Recording - Monitoring and maintaining thermoregulation
- Sponge Bath - Safe bathing procedures for neonates
- Weighing a Baby - Accurate weight monitoring techniques
- Nesting and Positioning - Developmental positioning
- Breastfeeding - Lactation support and positioning techniques
Specialized Care
- Hand Expression of Breastmilk - Manual expression techniques and storage
- Kangaroo Mother Care - Skin-to-skin care
- Pain Relief in Newborns - Non-pharmacological pain management
- Paladai / Suthi Feeding - Specialized feeding methods
- Insertion of Nasogastric Tube - Safe tube insertion techniques
- Gavage Feeding - Tube feeding procedures and monitoring
- Phototherapy - Neonatal jaundice management
Clinical Procedures
- Venous Blood Sampling - Safe specimen collection techniques
- IV Cannula Insertion - Vascular access procedures
- Medication Administration - Safe drug administration protocols
- Suctioning Procedures - Oral, nasal, and endotracheal suctioning
- Bag-and-Mask Ventilation - Emergency ventilation techniques
Quality and Safety
- Asepsis and Housekeeping - Environmental safety and waste management
- Nursing Care Responsibilities - Comprehensive care standards
Getting Started
New NICU staff should begin with Hand Hygiene and Baby Focused Nursing Care protocols before progressing to specialized procedures
Target Audience
- Nurses working in SNCU/NICUs
- Doctors/Resident doctors working in SNCU/NICUs
- Nursing supervisors and incharge nurses
- Nursing students on neonatal rotations
Development Status
This comprehensive nursing protocol represents evidence-based standards adapted from multiple healthcare institutions and standard guidelines. We update it regularly to align with current best practices.