CPR Steps Are Changing:  C-A-B Instead of A-B-C

The American Heart Association made changes to the Basic Life Support steps and put out their guidelines in October of 2010.  Instructors have been updated and interim materials supplied for the transition.  As of May 23, 2011, all AHA courses will be taught with the new 2010 updated guidelines. 

To take a peek at the updated guidelines for infants, click on the link below:

 http://www.baptistmomsandkids.com/Resources-CPRInfants.aspx

Plan on taking a course this year, or order your Anytime CPR home course kit from the AHA website.

Leave me a comment or question, I would love to hear from you.
Take care,
Cindy RN

Your baby is choking on something.  You hear a weak, ineffective cough.  The baby’s eyes are open wide and the lips are turning a gray or bluish color.  How can you help?  What do you do?

Click on the following link for a Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Patient Education sheet for a simple, one page reference:

http://www.childrensmn.org/Manuals/PFS/FirstAid/018313.pdf

Remember, do not use your fingers to search for the choking object (Pick it out of the mouth only if you can clearly see the object).  If “blind finger sweeps” are done, the object can be pushed further down the windpipe, or might damage the back of the mouth and throat.

North Central Baptist Hospital has an infant CPR class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 PM.  Register by calling the NICU nursing station at 210-297-4985.

Take Care,
Cindy, RN

We get many admissions to the hospital during the holiday season due to safety pitfalls.  The toddler’s environment at home may be safe and child-proofed, but what is the environment like when he/she visits Grandma or Aunt Sue?  The following are a few types of cases I can remember off the top of my head:

·        Young children taking older relative’s medicines

Many older relatives have their meds in baggies, or easy to open pill dispensers.  The meds may be in a purse, in the refrigerator, or dropped on the floor.  If a little one gets a hold of a strong heart medication, pain pill, or even certain kinds of vitamins, it can lead to tragic results.

·        Young children staying at homes that are not child-proofed 

When I worked in Arizona, we had so many cases of grandchildren drowning during visits.  The families would all say the same thing, “I only turned my back for a minute…”or, “We never thought he could open the door…”

·        Not using Sudden Infant Death precautions when traveling

I have seen where parents or grandparents make an “infant bed” by putting the baby in the middle of an adult bed and place pillows around the baby so she/he does not roll off.  Not every single baby will die if placed in that kind of environment, only a certain percentage will.  Are you willing to take that chance?  Invest in a portable crib like a Pack-n-Play and use it at home from time to time so your baby will be accustomed to it when you travel.

·        New environments causing new triggers for your child’s asthma

Smoke scented sofas, dusty old pillows/bedding, new cats/dogs, or even different regional trees/pollen may cause an asthma attack.  Keeping your child well controlled with their prescribed asthma controller medications is a big part of avoiding an asthma attack.  Bring and follow the doctor’s asthma action plan for your child.  Don’t forget to bring the asthma emergency medication and spacer with you on the trip.

When you think about it, how long did it take you to child-proof your home?  So, when you visit this holiday, take some time to secure your child’s environment.

I wish you and your family a safe and peaceful holiday season,

Cindy, RN