The health coordinators of the Canary Islands Emergency Service (SUC), part of the public company Management of Services for Health and Safety in the Canary Islands and under the Ministry of Health, recently assisted a 29-year-old woman via tele-assistance. This woman gave birth in her private vehicle on the way to the hospital on a road in Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura, and noticed that her baby was not breathing or crying. The tele-assistance from the SUC coordinating nurse helped to resuscitate a newborn in Fuerteventura
The SUC coordinating nurse received a call from the expectant mother, who was 38 weeks pregnant. After experiencing a spontaneous birth, she sought help for her baby, who was unresponsive to stimuli.
The health coordinator stayed on the phone at all times, providing instructions on how to perform a mouth sweep and turn the newborn over to vigorously stimulate her back. This resulted in an immediate response with a loud, audible cry.
As they were inside their vehicle and just minutes away from the hospital, the purpose of the mouth sweep, as indicated by the coordinating nurse, was to remove excess amniotic fluid from the baby’s oral cavity. This would help ensure the permeability of the upper airway, given that they did not have suitable suction equipment.
For a newborn, vigorous back stimulation aims to trigger the respiratory reflex, promoting lung expansion and enhancing neurological and motor responses.
Following this, the baby’s parents continued to receive necessary guidance from the coordinating nurse to ensure the baby’s wellbeing, keeping her well wrapped until they arrived at the hospital. The hospital had been alerted earlier by the health coordinators, who maintained follow-up on the baby’s progress and the mother’s condition until their arrival at the emergency department, where they were admitted in generally good health.
The tele-assistance provided daily by the doctors and coordinating nurses of the Canary Islands Emergency Service helps save lives and reduces potential complications. The SUC emphasises the importance of staying calm in emergencies and providing as much accurate information as possible to ensure a prompt and effective response. It is also crucial to follow the guidelines of the health coordinators at all times.
The tele-assistance from the SUC coordinating nurse helped to resuscitate a newborn in Fuerteventura
