Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

• 28-bed state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Comprehensive neonatal specialty and subspecialty care
• Advanced neonatal respiratory care including continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), conventional ventilation, high frequency ventilation, and/or inhaled nitric oxide therapy
• Bedside surgical closure of a patent ductus arteriosus
• Laser treatment and cryosurgery for retinopathy of prematurity
• Evaluation of infants with disorders of breathing and apnea
• 24-hour in-hospital care by a neonatology fellow and/or attending physician
• Developmental care:
  • In collaboration with families, the NICU team plans and implements developmental care that shapes the baby's physical environment in order to minimize the effects of light and noise and help the baby handle the stress associated with being sick or premature.
  • Skin-to-skin (Kangaroo) care – parents are taught skin-to-skin care and proper handling of their infant to help their baby's adjustment and development.

Parent Support Group Meetings

• Weekly support group meetings are conducted by the NICU social worker and nursing staff.
• Parents have an opportunity to meet and talk with other parents and gain information and support.
• The groups also give feedback to the NICU staff about family needs and issues.
• Individualized materials, books, videotapes and other information are made available for family education.

A Special Note for Parents of Newborns Who Require Neonatal Intensive Care:

Parents whose newborn infants require neonatal intensive care often express concerns for their baby or babies as well as a sense of bewilderment and feelings of being overwhelmed by the pace and activity in the NICU. This is very typical and normal. Few parents have any advance indication that their baby will need special care. Many parents find themselves "flooded with feelings and drowning in information." Despite their worries about their baby, parents are usually very proud and protective of their new infant. As parents you want the best for your baby.
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