Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery
Conemaugh Health System offers the highest level of care for premature and ill newborns through its Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery (NICU). The unit provides medical and pulmonary care.
When a baby arrives in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery, diagnostic studies and treatment begin immediately. Often, a newborn's organs are not mature enough to sustain life. Life-support systems may need to be intervened with until the baby gains enough strength to survive without medical assistance. Conemaugh's NICU staff explains each piece of equipment and its purpose to parents.
Our Team
- Neonatologist, a pediatrician who specializes in the care of sick newborns
- A nurse manager, who facilitates, evaluates and coordinates the daily operation of the NICU
- Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (CRPNs), and Physician Assistants who coordinate and direct the care of infants under the supervision of the neonatologist
- Registered Nurses (RNs), who provide hands-on care for all infants
- Occupational and speech therapists to help strengthen and monitor your baby’s developmental progress
- Social service representatives, who can provide information on financial resources and transportation
- Clerical Staff and Nursing Assistant, the first staff members that all visitors talk with at the NICU reception desk or via phone; responsible for ensuring patient safety by approving visitors for entry to the unit
Visitors
Families and friends are welcome to spend time with a new mother and her baby. A nurse will instruct visitors on how to wash their hands properly before each visit. During medical emergencies or procedures, visitors may need to wait before entering the nursery or be asked to leave. The nursing staff will provide additional information.
Visitors are limited to two at the bedside - one parent and one visitor. Families are allowed two visitors per day, except for both sets of grandparents, who are permitted to visit on the day of admission. Hospital policy requires that children must be over the age of 12 to visit. No sibling visitation is allowed for children under the age of 12 during RSV/Flu season (dates are subject to change as determined by the physician). During the non-season, sibling visitation is subject to restriction. Staff members are only permitted to discuss the infant's condition with parents in person or by phone. Visitors cannot hold, feed, or touch the infant unless it is a parent or grandparent.
Parents, Siblings, and Grandparents
- Visitation is allowed around the clock for parents, except 6:30 am/pm-7:30 am/pm. During this time, no visitors may come in or out of the unit (or any phone calls) to limit shift change/report interruption.
- Please have a nurse explain the sibling visiting policy before the first planned visit.
- The infant's parents must accompany the grandparents. Please limit visitors at the baby's bedside to two (one grandparent and one parent) individuals at a time. Since grandparents may visit any time with parents, we kindly request that they refrain from visiting during friends'/relatives' visiting times. Grandparents may touch and hold the baby for a short period and are permitted to feed, bathe, or provide any other care at the discretion of the parents and nursing staff.
Other Family Members and Friends
- Family members and friends are welcome to visit the mother and baby
- Weekdays: 12 – 8 pm
- Weekends/Holidays: 12 – 8 pm
**All visitation rules are subject to change at the discretion of the unit
Going Home
Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery are discharged when they no longer have emergent medical issues and have reached the following milestones:
- Minimum of 35 weeks gestation
- can maintain a stable body temperature without the help of an isolette
- can tolerate feedings and gain weight regularly
- does not have an illness that requires care that only a hospital can provide
Preparation for your baby's discharge begins early during the hospital stay. Parents are taught all aspects of the baby's care, and written instructions will be included in the baby's discharge information.