Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Coming Soon to
Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital
In the Santa Clarita Valley community we pride ourselves on being good parents, doing everything right - receiving early prenatal care, eating a proper diet and getting plenty of rest. We get help when we need it and essentially do our best to ensure we have a healthy pregnancy.
But even in the best of circumstances, sometimes, babies need extra care and that’s when it’s reassuring to know that Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital’s Maternity Unit will soon be equipped with a Level II state of the art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
What is a NICU
Our NICU - which we plan to open in 2010 - will care for critically ill newborns who need intensive care and homodynamic monitoring. A neonatologist, who will be accessible 24-hours a day, will oversee the medical care and provide consultation and assessment. The neonatologist will be assisted by neonatal nursing staff, respiratory care specialists, nutritionists and others who are specially-trained and ready to assist. The neonatal team will also work closely with the baby’s pediatrician to ensure your baby’s good health.
The entire neonatal team will include:
· Neonatologists
· Neonatal nurses
· Neonatal Respiratory Therapists
· Clinical neonatal nurse specialist
· Nutritionist
· Respiratory Therapist
· Social worker
· Speech therapist
· Pediatric occupational and physical therapists
· Pediatric clinical pharmacist
· Lactation consultant
· Other sub-specialists as needed including but not limited to: Pediatric
cardiologist, pediatric surgeon, pediatric orthopedic, pediatric neurologist,
pediatric plastic surgeon, and pediatric ENT.
Which newborns require care in a NICU?
While parents will have the extra comfort knowing that a neonatal unit is close at hand, most babies will never be in need of a NICU - and that’s good to know. But for the small percentage of babies who will benefit from having a NICU in their hometown, Henry Mayo will be their first haven. Babies who may be cared for in our NICU are those who were born before all of their body systems were ready or who need assistance with breathing or learning how to eat.
Some may have other complications such as infections, surgical needs or birth defects. Others just need specialized care and observation while they mature and continue to develop.
Features of Henry Mayo NICU
The 12-bed NICU planned at Henry Mayo will be expertly configured with soothing aesthetics and comfort features for parents but also designed for flexibility with portable ventilators, monitors and crash carts ready if immediate emergency care is needed.
Our NICU will be designed in a home-like environment and promote the bonding of the newborn and family. It will be decorated in soothing colors in an appealing modern design. There will be comfortable chairs where parents can relax as they learn how to care for their newborn. And because we know there is no substitute for a parent’s loving touch, we encourage parents to visit their babies often.
How long does a baby stay in the NICU
Since the health condition of each newborn can vary significantly, each length of stay for a baby varies also. But generally speaking, newborns are cared for in the NICU until their health improves and becomes stabilized. Once parents are comfortable and feel confident that they are able to care for their baby on their own, they will receive specific discharge instructions and the baby will be released and may go home.
Follow-up Care
Once a baby is home, they will be continued to be monitored by their pediatrician who will ensure that the baby is thriving and doing well.
23845 McBean Parkway