Children’s Clinic Tiršova – Belgrade
August 2017
During our trip to Serbia in October 2016, we visited University Children’s Hospital Tirsova, Belgrade. Below is the record of that visit:
One of the most common disorders affecting newborns is hyperbilirubinemia (an elevated bilirubin level in the blood). This is particularly a problem for premature babies whose brain tissue is more sensitive to the toxic effects of elevated bilirubin in the blood and are more at risk for developing brain damage and hearing loss. The standard procedure for the patient is to have a bilirubin level measured on average 3 times per day for 3 days. Currently, the hospital is able to measure bilirubin levels from blood obtained via venous or capillary puncture, which is quite painful for the child and can lead to fear, stress and sleep disorders. Also, this method exposes the children to a risk of infection. Annually, about 1,650 laboratory tests of bilirubin level are performed, which inflates hospital costs. The use of a transcutaneous bilirubinometer could easily improve the outcome associated with the diagnosis and treatment of these children. Not only is this instrument less abrasive to children, but it would also represent a cost savings of $1,200 per year for the hospital. The estimated cost of the instrument is $6,000.
We triggered the procedure to procure new Draeger JM 105 Bilirubinometer for the Hospital after our return, but it took us more than half a year to get the project completed due to various procedural issues. Most importantly, everything was completed and the new Draeger JM 105 bilirubinometer was delivered to the Hospital on August 17th, 2017.
Message from Department of Neonatology, University Children’s Hospital, Tiršova, Belgrade:
Izuzetno nam je drago sto smo u mogućnosti da koristimo transkutani bilirubinometar na našem odeljenju. Ovaj uređaj Drager JM 105 omogućava da našim malim pacijentima kontrolišemo vrednosti ukupnog bilirubina bez potrebe da se uzorkuje krv. Time smo smanjil bolne procedure kod novorođenih beba, a i značajno smanjili komplikacije. Zahvaljujemo se svima koji su nam pomogli da pružimo kvalitetnije i bezbednije lečenje dece u našoj ustanovi.
Srdačan pozdrav,
Kolektiv Službe neonatologije
We are very please that now we can use transcutaneous bilirubinometer at our department. The Draeger JM 105 transcutaneous bilirubinometer will help to better measure and control the level of bilirubin at our small patients, without need to draw blood. This procedure is not painful at all for our newborns, and there is no risk of infection. We are thankful to all who helped us deliver safer and better treatment at our Department.
Best Reagrds,
Department of Neonatology
Prior projects in Belgrade: