Medical garment for skin-to-skin care and methods of use

Abstract

A medical garment includes an apron configured to be worn over a wearer's chest and abdomen, the apron including a loose-fitting cowl neckline, at least one strap attached to the apron and configured to be fastened around the wearer's neck, and at least one tie strap disposed on the apron and configured to secure and organize tubing and lines attached to the infant.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 260,273 filed on Nov. 11, 2009.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE[0002]Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to medical garments. More particularly, embodiments disclosed herein relate to medical garments for skin-to-skin care and methods of using the medical garment.BACKGROUND[0003]Newborn infants require special care and observation to ensure they have successfully transitioned through the delivery and immediate post-partum period safely with no underlying problems. Premature infants, or infants that are born before approximately 9 months, as well as term and post-term infants with health issues, may require specialized treatment and care in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (“NICU”), often for an extended period of time. The NICU patient may need to be kept in an incubator and may require respiratory support, as well as intravenous fluids and medications ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While skin-to-skin care is commonly practiced in NICUs, there are few products currently available that allow a comfortable and private experience for the parent and infant.

Typically, a hospital may merely provide a blanket or hospital gown to cover the infant while the infant rests on the parent, however, this technique may not provide adequate and necessary privacy in an open, busy unit.

The current technique of draping is unsatisfactory for additional reasons.

Specifically, the blanket or hospital gown is unequipped to properly and safely secure respiratory support tubing, intravenous (“IV”) lines, feeding tubes, or any other tubing that may still be attached to the infant.

When using a blanket or hospital gown, tubing and lines are usually taped to the parent's arm or shoulder, which can be cumbersome and may not always properly secure the lines.

However, the smooth surface of tubing and lines may slip through hook and loop tape and smaller diameter tubing also poses a problem because the hook and loop tape can only safely secure certain diameters of tubing.

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