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
Educational Resource for the NICU Experience
At birth, some babies need special care so they are admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). You are your baby's most important caregiver so Merit Health River Oaks is here to help you with the things you need to know about the NICU.
Through our maternity app, we offer specialized information and education on the NICU experience, including:
- What you may be feeling
- Your baby's health care team
- Communicating with the care team
- Who can visit
- Equipment
- Parenting in the NICU
- And much more
We hope this will be informative and supportive as you navigate this journey.
To register, sign up here.
Disclaimer: The information in Bump2Baby360® is NOT intended to take the place of a healthcare provider or any information that your healthcare provider has discussed with you about your own personal health. It is imperative and advised that you find care and work with your healthcare provider to keep yourself healthy and safe. Always call your healthcare provider with any questions you may have. By creating an account in Bump2Baby, you have verified that you have read and agree to this disclaimer.
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.