Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Conemaugh Health System offers exceptional care of premature and ill newborns through its Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The unit provides specialty care for various conditions and illnesses affecting term and preterm infants.
When a baby arrives in the NICU, diagnostic studies and treatments begin immediately. The NICU provides specific supportive, developmental, and life sustaining care to those babies who are not able to provide this for themselves due to their prematurity or illness. Conemaugh's staff provides a collaborative approach to each baby and family by providing detailed information on policies, equipment, and plan of care with regular updates.
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 (CRPN's), 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
- Physical 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 2 visitors per day, with the exception of both sets of grandparents on admission. Hospital policy requires that children must be over the age of 12 to visit. No sibling visitation, less than 12 years old, allowed during RSV/Flu season (time changes as determined by physician). During non-season, sibling visitation is subject to restriction. Staff members are only permitted to discuss the infant's condition with parents in person and on the phone. Grandparents may touch and hold the baby for a short period.
Parents, Siblings, and Grandparents
- Visitation is allowed around the clock for parents, except 6:30am/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 grandparents. Please limit visitors at the baby's bedside to two (one grandparent and one parent) at a time. Since grandparents may visit any time with parents, we ask that they do not visit during friends/relatives' visiting times. Grandparents may touch and hold the baby for a short period and are permitted to feed, bathe, or render 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 mother and baby
- Visiting Hours: Daily 12 - 8 pm
**All visitation rules subject to change upon discretion of the unit
Going Home
Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit 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.