Abstract
The presence of SE and its potential hazard to infants in NICU is not well recognized. We therefore quantified the SE generated on equipment, patients and personnel in our NICU. A specially designed isolated plate monitor was used consisting of a 6″ square steel plate whose potential is monitored by an electrostatic field meter probe. (SIMCO CORP IIATFIELD, Pa). The monitor is chopper stabilized to provide drift free readings. 45 sets of SE measurements taken on different days in our NICU are shown in Kilovolts (KV). x ± SD). Relative humidity ranged from 40 to 62% during study.Wiping isolettes, monitors, tubing, saran wrap, etc, increased SE many folds. Static changes of upto 14 KV were recorded from isolettes and saran wraps wiped with dry cloth. We further studied effects of discharge of SE from surface charged up to IKV on skin of 3 premature baboons under continuous monitoring of central BP, CVP and EKG. No recordable changes were produced in these. A study into effects of sudden discharge of larger amounts of SE in the vicinity of indwelling catheters in sick premature baboons is now in progress. We conclude that large amounts of SE exist in the NICU. Besides having the potential for causing injury to sick newborns, SE promotes collection of dust particles in close proximity to the newborn, thus increasing the risk of nosocomial infections. Precautions should be taken to decrease SE in NICU.
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