Technology – Considerations for the NICU of the Future

Abstract

Modern neonatal intensive care arose from, and will forever depend upon, technology. There are increasing pressures to leverage new technologies to make care safer, more efficient and cost-effective. Changes in the delivery room will bring better monitoring and data display for the resuscitation team. Sensing and monitoring advances will be used in the NICU, measuring a wider range of physiologic parameters. Better integration of technologies with the EMR will be the basis for decision support and predictive analytics. Communication will be improved between the EMR, NICU staff and parents of newborns. Advances in conventional, CT, MRI and ultrasound imaging of neonates will aid in our diagnostic efforts. Ventilators are getting smarter, with wider ranges of support options and monitoring, in parallel with improvements in non-invasive respiratory support. New technologies can be used to evaluate and support neurodevelopment and to optimize nutrition. Laboratory testing can be done more rapidly, with smaller sample size and reduced costs, bringing more testing to the bedside. All these new technologies should optimize the NICU physical environment, improving the experience for patients, their families and hospital staff.