Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
About the NICU
One of the busiest and most highly regarded units in the country, our NICU cares for more than 1,000 critically ill infants each year with a variety of life-threatening problems. With 62 beds (including a four-bed infant transitional unit located near the delivery room), the NICU is a Level III Regional Referral Center equipped to care for sick or premature infants (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), infants with low birth weight (less than 5.5 pounds), or those who have a medical condition that requires special medical or surgical care. Twins, triplets, and other multiples often are admitted to the NICU, as they tend to be born earlier and smaller than single birth babies.
While in the NICU, each baby's condition is monitored at all times using the latest specialized equipment. These conditions may include extreme prematurity, respiratory failure, gastrointestinal disorders, as well as congenital anomalies, congenital heart disease and other conditions that may require surgery.
The unit, warmly decorated with colorful and inviting murals, provides significant space for clinicians and parents at the bedside. The NICU also contains an isolation suite and procedure room to allow the majority of care to be delivered on the unit. A nurse's station is situated directly in front of each two- and three-bedded area (or pod), allowing for close supervision and monitoring of each infant. In addition, the NICU has a large lounge, privacy areas and a range of amenities for families, including wireless internet access throughout the unit. Our Neonatal Family Resource Center provides two computers for parents' use. A collection of books and magazines are available on a variety of subjects.
