A New and Smarter Way to Test Car Seats in the NICU
By: Sarah Velasco, DNP, FNP-C, RNC-NIC, Synova Associates Clinical Advisor
Every year, over 3 million infants are born in the United States, with most being discharged from the hospital in a car seat for safe transportation. While state car seat laws vary, all 50 states mandate that infants be securely fastened while traveling. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), when used properly, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury to infants under one year of age by 71% (2024).
For NICU healthcare professionals, car seats are not only a crucial safety measure but also an integral part of the infant discharge process. Many NICUs have designated trained staff to ensure that newborns can remain safely positioned in a car seat for 1-2 hours prior to discharge. These professionals also educate parents on how to correctly position and secure their infant in the car seat, as well as how to safely place the car seat in the vehicle.
The Challenge of Traditional NICU Car Seat Testing
From my own NICU nursing experience, I recall that car seat tests were most often conducted by placing the car seat on the floor, surrounded by blankets to stabilize it. We hoped the infant would fall asleep, but when they awoke, the nurse would invariably find themselves crouching on the floor—trying to avoid touching the ground or inadvertently disturbing medical equipment. This scenario is familiar to many NICU nurses, who understand the challenges of traditional car seat testing methods.
A Solution: The Car Seat Tester by Patients First Products
I was recently introduced to an innovative car seat testing solution designed with NICU nurses in mind: the Car Seat Tester by Patients First Products. This ergonomic, easy-to-maneuver device eliminates the need for placing car seats on the floor, improving infection control, and reducing strain on healthcare staff.
Key Features of the Car Seat Tester:
- Mobility & Safety: Equipped with wheels and brakes for easy maneuverability in patient rooms.
- Ergonomic Design: Eliminates the need for bending or crouching, reducing strain on NICU
- Universal Docking Station: Allows for easy adjustment of the car seat to the appropriate incline, providing accurate and reliable test results.
- Improved Infection Control: Keeps car seats off the floor, minimizing exposure to potentially unsanitary surfaces.
The Car Seat Tester not only promotes consistency in performing this critical test but also improves the work environment and ease of use for frontline staff. It will prove invaluable in any NICU where car seat testing is conducted, where infection control concerns arise from placing car seats on the floor, or where a more innovative solution is sought to address existing challenges.
To learn more about Patients First Products please visit our Synova Industry Partner page, visit our website or reach out directly to our National Sales Director Sue Casey at sue@pfpcares.com
The material presented in this blog represents the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily the views of Synova Associates. Synova Associates does not endorse any specific products or organizations but strives to connect its industry partners with leaders interested in product/educational innovation.
