17 November 2024
Bringing Jaundice Care Home: How Your Support is Helping Families Bond Sooner
Southampton Hospitals Charity is proud to have funded a new initiative aimed at enhancing the care experience for families dealing with neonatal jaundice. Traditionally, phototherapy for jaundice has only been possible in the hospital, where babies are treated under a special lamp to reduce bilirubin levels. While effective, this in-hospital process can extend hospital stays, limit bonding opportunities, and complicate breastfeeding. Some babies even need to be readmitted, creating additional stress for families.
Through our support, we have enabled the Neonatal Outreach Team to offer phototherapy at home via a “Bilicocoon”—a blanket that provides 360° phototherapy. This easy-to-use device empowers parents to care for their baby in the comfort of their own home, fostering bonding and making breastfeeding more manageable.
With funding from Southampton Hospitals Charity, the team purchased three Bilicocoons, as well as equipment for testing bilirubin levels at home. The Bilicocoons make it possible for early discharge, reducing readmissions, and enhancing the overall experience for both patients and families, creating a positive impact for families in our community.
After an in-depth assessment, it was estimated that 30-40 babies each year could benefit from this service, reducing delayed discharges and preventing hospital readmissions. The service has the potential to save a minimum of 70 hospital bed days annually.
A 3-month pilot was conducted to evaluate demand, capacity, and the benefits of HPT. During this period, four babies received home phototherapy, saving the trust 10 bed days and approximately £4,300. Feedback from families was overwhelmingly positive, with praise for the convenience and support offered by the new service.
This initial success has laid the foundation for further expansion, with the aim of making the Bilicocoons a standard part of jaundice treatment. By incorporating the Bilicocoon in the hospital setting, staff familiarity and confidence with the device will grow, allowing them to better inform and prepare families for home use. Additionally, using the Bilicocoon in-hospital can ease parental concerns about the transition to home treatment.
Thanks to you, we’re able to make a real difference for families. Your support is bringing peace of mind and a little extra comfort to families during a challenging time – together, we’re making a difference.