Component Task: Home Visit to A Mother or Caregiver with a Pre-Term Baby

This is a home visit made by the Public/Community health nurse to a mother or caregiver with a pre-term baby.

Aims

·         Counsel mother on hygienic care of the baby to prevent infections

·         Teach mother on proper positioning and attachment to breast during feeding to increase warmth and promote growth

·         Detect infant abnormal health issues for prompt attention

·         Monitor the growth and development of the baby

·         Boost mother’s confidence in caring for baby

·         Assess the home environment to identify potential health hazards

·         Support and encourage mother to practice Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)

Types

·         Special

·         Routine

Requirements

·         Refer to items in the well-equipped home visiting bag

·         Map of the area/community

·         Records of the client manually/electronically

·         Register of the area/community

·         Arrange for transportation

·         Vaccines in a vaccine carrier

·         Safety box for used sharps

Steps

·         Read map of the community

·         Knock, enter, greet and introduce self

·         Observe environment for cleanliness, safety and comment

·         Establish rapport and explain the purpose of visit

·         Request for the maternal and child health record booklet and find out about clinic attendance

·         Assess the health needs of child

·         Explain procedure to the mother

·         Check and use items in home visit bag

·         Encourage mother to ask questions during the procedure

·         Wash hands/alcohol hand rub with appropriate technique

·         Check temperature

·         Undress baby

·         Assess baby’s colour

·         Weigh baby

·         Examine baby from head to toe, checking for abnormalities

·         Wash hands/alcohol hand rub with appropriate technique

·         Inspect cord for bleeding and dress cord

·         Teach mother cord care under hygienic condition

·         Ask mother for any feeding problems

·         Observe and counsel on breastfeeding

·         Teach mother to keep baby warm/ kangaroo mother care

·         Counsel mother on immunizations and provide, if not given

·         Teach mother on recognition of danger signs in pre-term and what to do

·         Counsel mother on general care of pre-term baby

·         Provide counselling on use of Insecticide Treated Bed nets (ITN)

·         Thank mother

·         Wash hands/alcohol hand rub with appropriate technique

·         Record and report findings manually/electronically