NICU Expansion (2010)
In 2008 Honduras had the second highest infant mortality rates in Central America with 28 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, according to national statistics. According to UNICEF reports, the mortality rate in 2009 in Honduras for children less than 1 year of age was 25 per 1,000 live births, and the case of children one year and older was 14 per 1,000 live births. In 2008, it was recorded that the highest rates of infant and maternal mortality were recorded in the western area of Honduras. The Hospital Regional de Occidente has the greatest coverage of public health services to the western region; so with CAMO’s aid, a better NICU was built to tackle the issue of infant mortality.
The NICU has an average of 174 newborns per month with an annual census of over 2,090 newborns needing the neonatal unit. Before the NICU expansion, there was no sink for mothers to wash their hands before breastfeeding, there was high traffic at the entrance to the unit, and there was passing infections due to limited area for high number of newborns. There were also high mortality rates with mortality rates at 13% in 2009. The spread of infections increased admission time, and therefore increased the congestion of the unit with a rate of occupancy at 130-150% per month.
The new neonatal unit now offers a clean feeding area for mothers with sinks, a clean private area for nursing, and a changing area for NICU staff to change from street clothes to scrubs. Restricted access to the NICU was also developed to decrease the spread of infections.
Learn about Neonatal Staff Development
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