| Book Review: |
Emergency Newborn Care - The First Moments of Life |
| Author: | Scott DeBoer, RN MSN CEN CCRN CFRN |
| Publisher: | Peds-R-Us |
| Reviewer: | Angela Hackenschmidt, RN MS CEN |
If
you like to judge a book by its
cover,
you'll want this one! Designed
as a "handbook" for emergency personnel who feel anxiety levels
rise at the mention of our tiniest patients, this slim book reads like a
long conversation with a colleague, which is what it essentially is.
Unlike textbook or certification manuals, this book is filled with
anecdotal examples and practical tips and tricks for remembering the
basics of newborn care.
This book is not formatted as a reference book,
but as a "background" handbook. It doesn't feel like "studying" to read
it, as it is quite narrative and informal. As such, I would have liked
it just a bit smaller so it could fit in a purse for reading on the bus,
etc. The book is probably best suited for novice emergency clinicians,
but could also be helpful for those who are experienced but very
uncomfortable caring for newborns. The book is unique in that it is
definitely from the pre-hospital/ED perspective. For example, the author
gives permission to the readers to focus on the basics with baby and
mom, and "worry about the Apgar scores later".
I love that the chapters are subdivided by
highlighted "how-to" questions, which are then answered in the
subsequent paragraphs. I would have liked the page headings to include
the chapter title at the top, because I would set it down and then
forget what chapter I was currently reading. The writing style is
immediate, conversational, and personal. It has a touch of that
"bravado", familiar to emergency workers, which is balanced by little
historical and touching quotes that pepper the pages. I liked the
engaging style, but personally found all of the quotes, side-track
comments/parentheses, etc., a bit distracting. Pictures are
included (black and white), which is great, and helps to break up the
text.
The content is in line with
AHA's PALS
and AAP's NRP) and
medical pediatrics practice guidelines. A few of the author's
recommendations are slightly more generalized than scientific reference
text criteria, but do fall within the acceptable ranges of practice
according to available evidence.
The scenarios at the end of the book are a great
touch. This book achieves its purpose of alleviating anxiety associated
with newborn care. The content is not new, but the approach is unique,
and I learned a few new helpful ways of remembering or teaching some of
the "tricks". The inside of the book is not as "glossy" as the cover,
but the price is reasonable.
Sure, I would recommend this book, especially for the novice or nervous!
