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Table 7 Proposed Newborn Signal functions for Emergency Newborn Care

From: Assessment of facility readiness for implementing the WHO/UNICEF standards for improving quality of maternal and newborn care in health facilities – experiences from UNICEF’s implementation in three countries of South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa

Type

Emergency Newborn Care Signal functions

Basic

1. Essential Newborn Care

 - Drying thoroughly

 - Skin to skin contact

 - Delayed cord cutting

 - Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding

- Cord care

- Eye care

- Vitamin K

- Weight

- Temperature

2. Resuscitation

 - Clearing of airway

 - Stimulation

 - Bag and mask ventilation

3. Kangaroo mother care

 - Dedicated space (optional): Records review for mothers who were kept in facility for more than usual with evidence of KMC (Prolonged STSC, EBF/feeding support, growth monitoring (weight))

4. Management of suspected sepsis

 - (Injectable) antibiotics (Ampicillin/Penicillin and Gentamicin)

  i. Availability

  ii. Administration

Comprehensive

(Additional functions)

5. Newborn Intensive Care Unit or equivalent with

 - Incubators (open) or radiant warmers

 - Phototherapy

6. Advanced resuscitation

 - Oxygen (blended)

 - Intubation

Optional for preterm births

 - Nasal CPAP

 - Surfactant

7. Advanced antibiotics (3rd generation Cephalosporin or higher) administration

8. IV fluid administration

 - With infusion pump/perfuser

9. Feeding (NG-tube)

10. ACS administration