Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

In the event that a complication with birth arises, it is good to know that within minutes, an infant can be transferred to the NICU for special care. PVHMC has a state-of-the-art 53 bed level 2 NICU facility for the treatment of sick or premature babies. They are cared for by multi-disciplinary teams. The team is headed by a pediatric physician specialist ( neonatologist), additional physician specialists from fields such as cardiology or neurology, registered nurses and respiratory care therapists, pharmacists, developmental therapists, dieticians and medical social workers. Every member of the team has been specially trained to care for newborns needing advanced medical services. Our staff is continually advancing their education to keep up with the latest technology and findings in caring for sick infants. This helps to contribute to a healing environment for the babies and a supportive environment for parents. We include parents in the care plan for the infants and be sure that Mom and Dad are prepared for when it is time to take home their little one.

Most NICU patients are also born at PVHMC, but some come from other area hospitals that cannot provide what the babies need. When a baby needs to come to us, our Neonatal Transport Team and specially equipped emergency vehicle are ready to respond. More information on our Transport Services can be found on the link to the left.

Our services for care of the newborn include, but are not limited to:

• Medical Care
• High frequency ventilation
• Surfactant replacement therapy
• Genetic screening
• Sub-specialty consultations
• Surgical Care
• Cardiothoracic: PDA and diaphragmatic hernia
• Gastrointestinal: Hernia, fundoplications, gastrostomy tube, bowel
  obstructions, intussusception, ileostomy, colostomy, pyloromyotomy,
  imperforate anus, omphalocele, and gastroschesis.
• Neurosurgery: VP shunt and ventriculostomy

Visitation Policy - NICU

• Parents may bring any family member or friend that is 18-years and older with them to visit their baby.
• Parents must have an identification band on matching the one on their infant.
• Visitors are limited to 2 at the bedside. Visitors (other than parent/guardian) are at the discretion of the bedside nurse and depend on the baby’s condition and the conditions in the NICU.
• One parent must always be present during any visit. The only exception is that parents may request grandparent(s) or one designated other be allowed to visit without the parent being present. The bedside nurse who assists the parent in making these arrangements follows these guidelines:
• Parents may give their permission for the grandparent(s) or significant other to be involved with direct infant care.
• The grandparent(s)/significant other’s picture is taken and then attached to the visitation form.
• Grandparent(s) or significant other may not bring visitors.
• Visiting is permitted anytime, except at change of shift: 6:45am – 7:45am and 6:45pm – 7:45pm. Visitors may be asked to step out of the unit during critically busy times, during any emergency, or during NICU patient rounds (every Tuesday 11:00am – 12:00pm).
•  All visitors must remove their jewelry and perform a 90-second scrub.
• Visitors enter at the front door, sign-in at the desk, and must identify themselves.
• All children must be supervised by an adult when parent(s) is/are visiting in the NICU. They may wait in the front lobby or the NICU family waiting room.
• Siblings that are at least 5 years old may be allowed to visit for a short period of time. Parents are asked to provide proof of current immunizations prior to first visit.
• Siblings may visit once per week.
• The date of sibling visit  (include sibling’s name) is recorded on the back of the patient’s care plan form.
• Immunization cards must be verified, photocopied, and placed in the visitor’s log notebook prior to the first visit by the sibling
  
• Visitors are not allowed when exhibiting signs and symptoms of illness.
• Mother with a fever resulting from a complication of the birthing process, as determined by the mother’s obstetrician may visit without restrictions.

For more information on our neonatal intensive care unit, physicians in the NICU, or any of the services within, please call (909) 865-9858.