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Neonatal Intensive Care Services

NICU room at Hendrick For newborns who require additional care due to prematurity, weight or other medical issues, a team of experts in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) will be here to provide the best care possible to your baby, while offering support to your family. The size of babies in the NICU can range from average full-term weight to micro-preemies, which weigh one pound or less.

NICU Team

A NICU is staffed by a multidiciplinary team consist of neonatal-trained medical professionals. They include:

  • Neonatologists
  • Registered Nurses (NICU certified)
  • Neonatal Nurse Practitioners
  • Ophthalmologist (NICU certified)
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physical Therapists
  • Speech and Language Pathologists
  • Respiratory Therapists
  • Lactation Consultants
  • Pharmacists
  • Technicians
  • Dietitians
  • Social Workers

Technology

Giraffe Bed

The Giraffe Bed provides a controlled and consistent thermal environment for your baby. The specially designed bed minimizes touch by reducing the need to move or reposition baby. Outside sound is managed through low noise fan and a hood cover. Medical providers can perform tests and procedures in the Giraffe Bed with minimal disruption of your baby.

Panda Warmer

The Panda Warmer is an incubator or isolette that is used for maintaining a baby’s body temperature. The warmer provides body warmth, humidity and protection from outside stimulation. Portholes allow for easy access without allowing cold air in or heat out.

Kangaroo Chair

Our Kangaroo Chairs are specially designed recliners that support the natural skin-to-skin bonding experience known as "kangaroo care" between parents and their infant.

Therapeutic Hypothermia

This new treatment option reduces an infant’s total body temperature by inducing hypothermia shortly after birth in order to minimize the chances of severe brain damage and slow down disease progression.

Ventilator

A ventilator is a machine attached to the baby’s endotracheal tube which pumps oxygen into the lungs with a controlled pressure that helps the baby breathe.

Phototherapy Light

Some babies are diagnosed with jaundice, also called hyperbilirubinemia. Special lights, called phototherapy lights, give off light in the blue spectrum. The lights alter the bilirubin in the skin to a water-soluble form so that the baby can rid the body of extra bilirubin through the urine or stool. Bilirubin is a substance in the blood produced by the breakdown of red blood cells.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure or “CPAP” provides a steady flow of oxygen through a small face mask or small prongs that fit into the baby’s nostrils.

Screenings

Eye Screen

All NICU babies have their eyes examined by a fellowship-trained pediatric ophthalmologist to determine if the blood vessels in the retina have developed normally.

Hearing Screen

Premature babies can suffer with hearing issues. Our babies are checked with special equipment for early signs of hearing problems.