%0 Journal Article
%T Light Reduction Capabilities of Homemade and Commercial Incubator Covers in NICU
%A Susan M. Ludington-Hoe
%A Amel Abouelfettoh
%J ISRN Nursing
%D 2013
%R 10.1155/2013/502393
%X Reduction of high-risk neonatesĄ¯ exposure to aversive light stimulation is an important component of developmentally supportive care. In neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), usually light is reduced by reducing the roomĄ¯s light level or by using incubator covers. Many types of incubator covers are in use, including homemade and commercial covers. A comparative study was used to determine the light reducing capabilities of 19 homemade incubator covers, 2 commercial covers, and 1 receiving blanket. The covers were tested by covering and uncovering an incubator and an oxygen hood in the NICU during daytime and nighttime lightings. The light reducing capabilities value was determined for each cover using an Extech light dosimeter when the cover was placed over and removed from an oxyhood, and an incubator. The study showed that the light reducing capability of the commercial covers was 91.2%, the homemade covers capability was 72.1%, and the receiving blankets capability was 55.1%. A significant difference between the commercial and homemade covers was found ( , ). Commercial incubator covers are the most effective covers to achieve light reduction; homemade covers can be effective if made large enough so that they completely cover all sides of the incubator. 1. Introduction Reduction of the exposure of high-risk neonates to aversive light stimulation is an important component of developmentally supportive care [1¨C3]. Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) usually reduce light by reducing the roomĄ¯s light level or by using incubator covers [4, 5]. Many types of incubator covers are in use, including homemade and commercial covers. Homemade covers are not standardized, and only one report of their light reducing capability during daytime and evening time could be found [6], and that report was based on a simulated level of light created in a windowless nursing school skills because reports of light reduction capability of homemade incubator covers in an actual NICU could not be found. The lighting in nurseries is known to be relatively constant [1, 5, 7], but light levels really are quite variable [8]. Two measures of light are referenced in the study presented here. A footcandle (ftc) is defined as a unit of illumination on a surface that is one foot from a point source of one candle; lux is defined as a unit of illumination that is equal to the direct illumination on a surface that is one meter from a uniform point source of one candle intensity or equal to one lumen per square meter (lumen/m2). The amount of light received by any infant varies from 15 to
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.nursing/2013/502393/