Neonatal Intensive Care
Merit Health River Oaks' neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides care for critically ill or premature infants. Specially trained neonatal care professionals utilize technological advances to deliver diagnosis and treatment. The NICU is staffed 24 hours a day by specialized neonatal care nurses and doctors who are focused on the needs of newborns and parents.
The Level III NICU, located on the second floor, allows for private or semi-private patient rooms. Instead of the traditional main nurses' station, the new NICU has several work stations for nurses, with everything nurses need to care for their patients located within close proximity to patients' rooms. The rooms are set up in a "pod" fashion and are designed to facilitate work efficiency for the nurses and enhance patient care.
The NICU also houses specialized equipment and developmental processes designed to provide care for extremely low birth weight babies. The space is conducive to facilitating the care given to some of our smallest premature babies.
The NICU provides care for:
- Premature infants
- Birth defects and genetic syndromes
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Infections or sepsis
- Kidney disorders
- Major neonatal surgical needs
- Respiratory disorders
Neonatal Transport Team
Making special deliveries is the primary focus of the Merit Health River Oaks neonatal transport team. The special delivery team serves as a transport unit for rural hospital facilities not currently operating a neonatal intensive care unit. Premature babies will be transferred to one of the neonatal intensive care units at either Merit Health Woman's Hospital or The Baby Suites at Merit Health River Oaks for the required special care. The transport team consists of registered nurses, respiratory therapists and emergency medical technicians operating under the direction of the neonatalogists associated with Merit Health River Oaks and Merit Health Woman's Hospital.