Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a place where babies with special needs receive special around-the-clock care from physicians and nurses with advanced training.
Visiting your baby
You are welcome to visit your baby at any time in the NICU except during shift changes which take place from 6 to 8 a.m. and 7 to 8 p.m. daily. The NICU is also closed from 1 to 2:30 p.m. each day to turn off lights and give infants a period of rest without the noise associated with visitors. Because the NICU is a small area, your baby may only have two visitors at a time at the bedside. Visitors are limited to parents and grandparents of infant only. Parents/ significant others who are banded must accompany grandparents on visits to the NICU. Visitors waiting to see your baby are asked to do so in the hall, at the hallway window, or in the Family Waiting Room in the Birthing Center. No waiting in the nurse's station please. For your children's safety, please do not leave them unsupervised in the designated waiting areas.
For your baby's protection
All visitors are required to complete a three minute scrub, followed by an alcohol-based rinse each time they enter the NICU. Upon entering, obtain a scrub brush from the dispenser at the sink, apply soap and scrub to your elbows for three minutes. Throw away your scrub brush and dry your hands. Apply alcohol-based rinse to hands and rub together until dry. Do this each time you visit your baby whether you plan to touch your baby or not. If you are feeling ill please let us know. If you or a visitor displays symptoms of coughing, sneezing, runny nose, rashes, fever, or has been exposed to a communicable disease we ask that you do not enter.
Your understanding is appreciated
When visiting your baby at the NICU, please stay at your baby's bedside unless invited to another bedside by that baby's parents. To uphold patient confidentiality we ask that you do not ask questions about other babies in the unit, unless the information is offered to you by that baby's parent. There may be times that you are asked to leave the NICU due to procedures being performed on your baby, or another baby. This doesn't happen very often, but please be patient should this occur. There may also be times when the unit is closed temporarily due to an emergency or admission. Please accept our apology. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
How is my baby doing?
If you have any questions regarding your baby's condition please feel free to ask your baby's nurse. Your nurse is here for you as well as your baby and will be happy to answer any questions that you may have. Parents are also encouraged to call the NICU at anytime of the day or night to ask about their baby. The telephone number of the NICU nursing station is 663-6070. Dial extension 6070 if calling from a room within the hospital. Patient confidentiality laws restrict our ability to release information about your baby to anyone other than the baby's parents.
For your information
We have extensive information on newborn problems, premature infants, the NICU and various support groups, including social services and chaplaincy. Please feel free to ask for these materials if interested. Also, please ask if you have any questions on breastfeeding or using a breast pump.
