What is the typical treatment time that you see infants in the NICU, and do you see the patients twice a day?
Answer
Typically we treat the infants for about half an hour. We like see them before feedings so that the baby is awake and ready to feed when the nurse comes in after our treatment. The highest frequency that we use is once a day. We must remember that even though we are doing something good, and we are helping them develop, we have to consider their need to reserve and conserve energy. We do not want to wake them up unnecessarily or work with them too much. We need to make sure that they have the energy to grow. Studies have shown that once a day or even three times a week in the ones that are older is sufficient to obtain the benefits of therapy. What you want to do is translate what you are doing over into your education of the parents and the nurses. They will not necessarily do a skilled treatment, but they may incorporate many of those elements that you teach them into their interactions with the child. So if you think about it, if you do it right, they are going to be getting treatment all throughout their stay from everyone who is handling them.
Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez, PT, DPT, PhD, CNT
Alicia Fernandez-Fernandez graduated from the University of Oviedo (Spain) with a diploma in physical therapy and
practiced in a variety of settings as a physical therapist in Spain before moving to the US and obtaining her M.S. in Physical Therapy, a post-professional Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering. She has practiced at the South Miami Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) 2003-present. In 2011 she joined Nova Southeastern University, where she is currently an Associate Professor and teaches Pediatrics, Kinesiology, Prosthetics and Orthotics, and Gender Issues. She continues to practice in the NICU on a per diem basis and she is a Certified Neonatal Therapist. Her research interests encompass pediatrics, biomechanics, use of technology in education, and nanotechnology applications in cancer.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/qikids-qigong-for-pediatrics-4866QiKIDS™ - Qigong for PediatricsIn “QiKids: Qigong for Pediatrics”, participants will learn gentle, effective mind & body-based movements, breaths and acupressure points proven to decrease stress, calm anxiety, improve mental focus, boost immune system function, and build resiliency. Qigong is the perfect therapeutic movement exercise for both clinicians and clients wanting to create a regular mindfulness practice that supports mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comQiKIDS™ - Qigong for PediatricsIn “QiKids: Qigong for Pediatrics”, participants will learn gentle, effective mind & body-based movements, breaths and acupressure points proven to decrease stress, calm anxiety, improve mental focus, boost immune system function, and build resiliency. Qigong is the perfect therapeutic movement exercise for both clinicians and clients wanting to create a regular mindfulness practice that supports mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.4866OnlinePT60M
In “QiKids: Qigong for Pediatrics”, participants will learn gentle, effective mind & body-based movements, breaths and acupressure points proven to decrease stress, calm anxiety, improve mental focus, boost immune system function, and build resiliency. Qigong is the perfect therapeutic movement exercise for both clinicians and clients wanting to create a regular mindfulness practice that supports mental, physical, and emotional health and well-being.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/impact-motor-learning-for-child-3870Impact of Motor Learning For The Child With Autism Spectrum DisorderMaster skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. Children with ASD face challenges as they form the motor programs that serve as the basis for daily life and play. This interdisciplinary course series will expand upon the theory of praxis and the child’s ability to adaptively respond to their environment in a way that is meaningful and efficient. Through practical and clinical demonstrations, the learner will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of motor learning for the child with ASD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comImpact of Motor Learning For The Child With Autism Spectrum DisorderMaster skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. Children with ASD face challenges as they form the motor programs that serve as the basis for daily life and play. This interdisciplinary course series will expand upon the theory of praxis and the child’s ability to adaptively respond to their environment in a way that is meaningful and efficient. Through practical and clinical demonstrations, the learner will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of motor learning for the child with ASD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.3870OnlinePT240M
Master skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. Children with ASD face challenges as they form the motor programs that serve as the basis for daily life and play. This interdisciplinary course series will expand upon the theory of praxis and the child’s ability to adaptively respond to their environment in a way that is meaningful and efficient. Through practical and clinical demonstrations, the learner will develop a deeper understanding of the importance of motor learning for the child with ASD. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/supporting-respiratory-equipment-on-wheelchair-4894Supporting Respiratory Equipment on Wheelchair BasesMany people who require respiratory equipment, such as oxygen and ventilators, use a wheeled mobility base. This course will address how to support respiratory equipment on an adaptive stroller, manual wheelchair, or power wheelchair safely and as a part of a team.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comSupporting Respiratory Equipment on Wheelchair BasesMany people who require respiratory equipment, such as oxygen and ventilators, use a wheeled mobility base. This course will address how to support respiratory equipment on an adaptive stroller, manual wheelchair, or power wheelchair safely and as a part of a team.4894OnlinePT60M
Many people who require respiratory equipment, such as oxygen and ventilators, use a wheeled mobility base. This course will address how to support respiratory equipment on an adaptive stroller, manual wheelchair, or power wheelchair safely and as a part of a team.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/re-imagining-pt-and-ot-5152Re-imagining PT and OT Assessments as a Targeted Treatment Tool: Pediatric ApplicationsExplore innovative ways to transform five pediatric assessment tools into structured and progressive treatment programs for physical and occupational therapy providers. Attendees learn how to utilize various standardized tests to design effective and individualized exercise programs, enhancing patient outcomes.auditory, textual, visual129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comRe-imagining PT and OT Assessments as a Targeted Treatment Tool: Pediatric ApplicationsExplore innovative ways to transform five pediatric assessment tools into structured and progressive treatment programs for physical and occupational therapy providers. Attendees learn how to utilize various standardized tests to design effective and individualized exercise programs, enhancing patient outcomes.5152OnlinePT120M
Explore innovative ways to transform five pediatric assessment tools into structured and progressive treatment programs for physical and occupational therapy providers. Attendees learn how to utilize various standardized tests to design effective and individualized exercise programs, enhancing patient outcomes.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/ferpa-family-educational-rights-and-4137FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy ActAn overview of FERPA including practical advice regarding the regulation of FERPA by LEAs and how this federal law affects your practice in service to schools.auditory129USDSubscriptionUnlimited COURSE Access for $129/yearOnlineOnlyPhysicalTherapy.comwww.physicaltherapy.comFERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy ActAn overview of FERPA including practical advice regarding the regulation of FERPA by LEAs and how this federal law affects your practice in service to schools.4137OnlinePT60M
An overview of FERPA including practical advice regarding the regulation of FERPA by LEAs and how this federal law affects your practice in service to schools.
