The Role of an ENFit Syringe To Syringe Connector
There is always the possibility of something going amiss when a child is born prematurely. The infant is often undernourished and needs to be kept warm as well as provided with all the nutrients that can help it to grow properly. Unfortunately, the process requires 24X7 supervision by professional health care givers. No doubt, such infants are usually kept confined to the neonatal ward where a team of medical professionals can monitor the progress closely.
It might shock the parents along with the other members of the infant’s family to come across a weak and underweight baby who needs to be supported by means of a number of medical equipment. Strangely, the thought of having umbilical vessel catheters inserted into the tiny body leaves the parents uneasy. There is nothing to be worried about though. However, the facts need to be studied carefully before opting for the use of the catheters.
The umbilical cord has a couple of arteries and a vein passing into the body. The catheter is inserted into either of the vessels for assisting the frail infant in coping with problems after birth. The parents are usually scared of the baby being subjected to such a procedure. There is nothing worrisome about it though for the umbilical cord does not contain any nerves thereby making the entire procedure free of pain.
Uses of an umbilical catheter
Preterm infants who develop respiratory problems often have umbilical artery catheters inserted via the cord. This enables the professionals to test the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. Ascertaining the amount of the blood gases assists the team of doctors to gauge the condition properly and then take the right decision about treating the neonate.
The catheters are also useful for monitoring the blood pressure, drawing fluids from the body as well as administering medication to the newborn baby.
The catheter is usually passed through one of the two arteries in the cord. However, it can be passed through the umbilical vein occasionally for collecting blood required for conducting tests in the laboratory as well as administration of fluids and/or drugs.
Advantage of using ENFit connectors
Many neonatal experts prefer to provide medication via the oral route instead of administering it intravenously. This can actually reduce fatal errors that often arise from misconnection of the tubing. The number of instances has gone down substantially with the introduction of the ENFit syringe to syringe connector, however.
When a professional caregiver at a medical facility tries to draw up the medicine via a traditional syringe and tempts to deliver it through an ‘ENFit feeding tube,’ it will be a futile exercise for the syringe will not be compatible with the tubing and will simply not fit.
However, this issue can be solved by drawing up the medicine via an age old syringe and then delivering it orally. This process has been the conventional method for years and continues to remain in existence. Unfortunately, it can result in overdosing or under dosing at times depending on the skills of the concerned nurses.
The ideal scenario would involve using an ENFit syringe along with an ENFit straw or bottle cap that is delivered by means of an ENFit tube.
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