Penn Highlands DuBois NICU Enhances Newborn Services

Penn Highlands DuBois is now equipped with a Retcam to perform retinal scans onsite in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for babies born with the risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). In babies, ROP is a condition where the blood vessels to the retina have not finished growing or they are growing abnormally. Depending on the stage, surgery or cryotherapy may be necessary.

A team consisting of a neonatologist, certified registered nurse practitioners and registered nurses is skilled in using the Retcam to capture a picture of the retina on a computer. The image is transmitted to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where it is tele read. The results of the eye exam are sent back to Penn Highlands DuBois typically the same day. The NICU staff coordinates the telehealth reading so the hospital knows when to expect the retina scans.

“This is another valuable service we can offer in our NICU. In the past, babies at risk for retinopathy of prematurity were separated from their mother and transferred to Pittsburgh by ambulance for eye exams,” explained Suzanne McCullough, BSN, RN-NIC, Director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Apnea-Reflux/Developmental Clinic at Penn Highlands DuBois. “The trip could be stressful for the baby as well as the parents. Now the baby does not need to leave our hospital which reduces stress for all members of the family.”

Throughout the U.S., approximately 34% of babies are at risk of retinopathy. Risks include:

• A birthweight less than or equal to 1,500 grams (equivalent to 3.30 pounds).
• Born at a gestation of 30 weeks or less.
• 1,500 to 2,000 grams or a gestational age of 30 weeks or more with other risk factors such as receiving oxygen for more than a few days following birth.

The Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Penn Highlands DuBois is the only NICU in the region – the nearest one is 100 miles away. The NICU is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and tools that enable staff to provide the best care possible.

For more information, visit www.phhealthcare.org/nicu.