Donation positively impacts newborn care

The Henry County Health Center Auxiliary recently purchased an important new piece of equipment for Maternity Services as well as a gift for each baby born at HCHC.

The Auxiliary purchased an infant warmer which is a vital piece of equipment in the delivery room at HCHC. Not only does it provide warmth to the newborn, but it also supplies oxygen and suction that may be needed for resuscitation of the infant. It has been designed to help effectively balance the immediate needs of the infant with those of the resuscitation team, while supporting best practices in neonatal resuscitation.

?We feel very fortunate to have this top of the line product in our Maternity Services Department and we thank the Auxiliary for their continued support of our department and the patients we serve,? said Shayla Malone, Maternity Services Supervisor.

The Auxiliary has also purchased sleep sacs to give to each infant born at HCHC. Leading health organizations agree that modeling proper care for a baby in hospital nurseries is the single biggest influence for how a parent will care for their child when they go home. Therefore, it is paramount that hospitals model the highest standard for safe sleep practices that includes the American Academy of Pediatrics suggestion that caregivers use a wearable blanket when putting baby to sleep. The wearable blanket is used to replace potentially dangerous loose blankets.

Thanks to the Auxiliary?s donation of the sleep sacs, HCHC is able to model the safe sleep practices and provide each infant with a sleep sac to take home.

Some of the ways the HCHC Auxiliary contributes to the health center in include:

? Staffing the Information Desk and Gift Shop

? Knitting or crocheting hats for babies born at HCHC

? Operating Lifeline

? Sponsoring an annual soup supper with proceeds benefiting the Scholarship Fund

? Awarding scholarships/loans to students entering health care careers

To learn more about the Auxiliary and the volunteer opportunities that are available at HCHC, call 319-385-6524.