By Laura Michell
Newborns diagnosed with jaundice may no longer need to stay in hospital for treatment under a new program at The Northern Hospital.
Currently, newborns with jaundice are admitted to the Epping hospital’s special care nursery for phototherapy treatment after their mums are discharged.
The new program, launched this week, aims to keep babies and their parents together by allowing newborns who meet certain criteria to receive treatment at home.
The hospital has four phototherapy units that can be taken home by parents.
The units consist of a cocoon that helps keep the baby under lights even when feeding or being cuddled.
Midwives will make daily home visits to check the babies, monitor feeding habits and track temperatures.
Neonatal nurse unit manager Barbara Rischitelli said the program allowed otherwise healthy babies to avoid a stay in the nursery.
“Our aim is to try and keep mother and baby together,” she said.
The program was funded by the Northern Health Foundation.
