CPR Classes Give Peace of Mind to Anxious Parents at Silver Cross NICU
Brian Baudek, Assistant Director of Silver Cross EMS and Emergency Preparedness, teaches a NICU parent how to perform CPR on an infant simulator during a recent training session at the Amy, Matthew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
Our miracle micro-preemie Nyla Haywood's parents, NaKeya and Cory, were CPR trained before their momentous departure home.
May 19-25 is EMS Week , the perfect time to shine the spotlight on a lifesaving service Silver Cross Emergency Medical Services (EMS) System offers to parents whose babies have been cared for in Silver Cross Hospital’s Amy, Matthew and Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) instruction before the baby’s discharge to home.
One recent set of parents who benefitted from this important training are NaKeya and Cory Haywood of Joliet. The Haywood’s miracle micro-preemie Nyla, born at 22.3 weeks at Silver Cross Hospital last November, was discharged from the hospital’s NICU May 13 to great fanfare and international news coverage.
Though she went home with oxygen, her parents had peace of mind and confidence about how to handle potential emergencies thanks to the CPR training they received. The training is a collaboration between the hospital’s NICU and Silver Cross EMS, a network of fire departments, ambulance services, industrial responders, training centers, dispatch centers and hospitals – all committed to coordinating pre-hospital care of the highest quality.
The in-person class teaches parents how to handle emergencies, such as effective chest compressions for newborn CPR, rescue from choking and what to expect when calling 9-1-1.
Brian Baudek, Assistant Director of Silver Cross EMS and Emergency Preparedness presented the CPR program to the grateful Haywoods.
“One thing he told us is to not be afraid if the EMTs take the baby into their ambulance right away,” said NaKeya Haywood, who works at Silver Oaks Behavioral Hospital on the New Lenox campus and whose mother is a nurse at Silver Cross.
“They’re more comfortable using their own equipment,” she explained.
She added that Nyla is doing great, but she and her husband appreciated the lessons offered through the CPR training. They brought the oxygen along to class, which helped them feel more comfortable using it with Nyla.
Kelly McNicholas MSN, MBA, RN, Silver Cross NICU Nurse Educator, has heard a lot of positive feedback in the short time they have offered the CPR classes.
“They say it really helps reduce their anxiety. And some parents who went home without taking the class have asked if they could come back for it,” McNicholas said.
While McNicholas thought of the idea for the class, she credits Baudek and Jerry Cooke, American Heart Association Coordinator, with making the program a success.
When McNicholas asked Baudek about teaching a class to parents, he said they do already in the community. So, why not at Silver Cross NICU?
Strong EMS Partners
Paramedics, EMTs, first responders and dispatchers rely on Silver Cross for primary and continuing education, quality assurance and administrative support so they’re well prepared to respond to any and all emergencies.
The Silver Cross EMS System is a network of more than 2,000 specially trained personnel within 34 fire departments, ambulance services, industrial responder agencies, and dispatch centers, and four associate hospitals, all committed to the coordination of quality pre-hospital patient care.
Silver Cross NICU Director Peggy Farrell, DNP, RN, said the CPR classes have been a great asset, helping the still new Level III NICU to blossom.
“We have a wonderful partnership with EMS,” she said. “Before, we just had videos to show the parents. I can’t thank them enough for the help they provide.”
Stay Calm, ‘We’re Always There’
He stresses to NICU families administering oxygen at home, like the Haywoods, to call 9-1-1 immediately if there is a power outage and the backup fails also.
Baudek knows it’s tough when your baby in is distress, but he advises them to be as calm as possible when talking to the dispatcher, who can help them until EMTs arrive.
“We’re always there.”
Training, whether it’s for future EMTs or anxious NICU parents is rewarding for Baudek. And though he has earned his share of awards, that’s not why he does it.
“Knowing that I can help give parents peace of mind is all the thanks I need.”
For more information, visit www.silvercrossems.com
