ACoRN: Acute Care of At-Risk Newborns

Book excerpt: The Acute Care of at-Risk Newborns (ACoRN) program trains health care providers to stabilize that most challenging and enigmatic of medical patients: the unwell newborn.Early assessment, intervention, and management of at-risk or unstable infants can be critical for their survival and long-term health. Clinical care standards and educational programs to address these requirements are needed. The ACoRN program provides a unique, prioritized, and systematic approachto newborn stabilization for health care professionals (HCPs) with any degree of experience. ACoRN-trained providers learn to gather information, prioritize, intervene appropriately, and deliver high quality care to at-risk and unwell newborns in any setting.Because research and practice have advanced dramatically in recent years, the need for a new ACoRN text, the program's centrepiece, became essential: hence the development of this new edition, which reflects current guidelines and evidence-based best practices.ACoRN teaches the concepts and skills required to stabilize unwell newborns through system-based algorithms ('Sequences'), each with its own chapter:- Respiratory- Neurology- Surgical Conditions- Cardiovascular- Fluid and Glucose- Jaundice- Thermoregulation- InfectionThe ACoRNS pneumonic defines stabilization steps and chapter structure: Alerting Signs, Core Steps, Organization of Care, Response, Next Steps, and Specific Diagnosis and Management. Each chapter includes educational objectives, key concepts, learning points, and at least one case scenario withquestions and answers to reinforce content and learnings.This book is written for any health professional who may be required to participate in the stabilization of sick or preterm babies within their scope of practice.The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has worked to improve the health of children and youth since 1922. Backed by the expertise of more than 3,000 paediatricians, the CPS makes sure that parents and professionals have the best possible information about child and youth health and well-being. TheCPS is also involved in advocacy, research and education for health care providers.