Level III Neonatal ICU

  • by halifax
  • June 25, 2015
  • Categories: Blog, Mom Mental Health and Wellbeing, Podcast, Press Release, Uncategorized, Video

1 In Every 10 Babies

One out of every ten newborns is admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In many cases, the mothers experienced a healthy pregnancy and never planned on their babies requiring care in the NICU. With this in mind, it is extremely important that you do your research and ask questions, because all Neonatal Intensive Care Units are not the same and are not equipped to provide the same level of care.

At Halifax Health – Center for Women & Infant Health we have the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Volusia and Flagler Counties that is equipped and ready to care for premature babies that are born earlier than 28 weeks and smaller than two pounds, or 1,000 grams. When you hear the term “Level III” this means that the facility can provide the highest level of neonatal care as designated by the state of Florida. Although you may never plan on your baby arriving into this world premature, rest assure that the team of experts in the Level III Neonatal ICU at Halifax Health are experienced and fierce advocates for your tiny bundle of joy.

Even the Healthiest of Pregnancies May Result in a Baby Requiring Care from the Neonatal ICU

There are many reasons why a baby may need care from a Neonatal ICU. Some babies are born early or premature so their lungs and other body systems are not fully developed.  Babies may also require oxygen or special equipment to help them breath.  Premature infants may be too sick or immature to feed by breast or a bottle so an IV is needed until the baby is ready to begin feeding.   Full-term babies can also have problems with their breathing or their blood sugar.  These babies also receive specialized treatments in the NICU.

Experience Matters

Halifax Health – Center for Women and Infant Health, Level III Neonatal ICU has been providing care for premature babies in this community since 1975. In 1977, Dr. YB Au Yeung joined the staff as the first full-time neonatologist.  As a result, the neonatal mortality rate in the area dropped from 21 to 12 per 1,000 births. Now, more than 40 years later, we continue to provide expert care to our tiniest patients by having neonatologists on staff 30 with years experience in caring for NICU patients. In addition, our neonatal nurses are by your side every step of the way. Our charge nurses for the Neonatal ICU have over 60 years of NICU experience combined and 50 percent of our NICU team has 20 years or more of experience in the NICU. It is because of our highly experienced team that babies are able to stay at this hospital and in this community and not be separated from their family. Expertise matters when it comes to the care of your baby.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners on Staff 24/7

Halifax Health is the area’s ONLY hospital staffed with advanced practice registered nurses that care for premature and sick newborns, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means that should an unexpected emergent situation arise, there is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner on staff who can perform multiple lifesaving procedures on newborns in distress in, when time is of the essence.

Open – Concept Neonatal ICU | Designed with the Baby in Mind

Our Level III Neonatal ICU completed a $1 million dollar construction project that included an expansion from a nine-bed unit to a 14-bed, open-concept unit. Although we love to say that Mommy comes first, we designed the Level III Neonatal ICU with your baby in mind. Newborn babies that are admitted to the Neonatal ICU require an exceptional level of care and constant observation.  With an open-concept Neonatal ICU you don’t only have one person monitoring your baby in a private setting, but rather a full team surrounding your baby that can see, hear and be in constant observance to provide acute care that your baby requires. The setting in the NICU is completely different than any other location within the hospital. Everything from the lighting to the floors was designed to mimic a quiet and warm environment just as your baby would have experienced in your womb.

Stay with Your Baby, Stay in Your Community

At Halifax Health, we understand the importance of family and what it means to stay together. This is why we do everything we can to keep you and your baby together at the same hospital, in your community. We are the only hospital in the area that can care for babies born earlier than 28 weeks and weigh less than 1,000 grams. We provide expert care for the premature infants in our community, and take every precaution to minimize your risk of being separated from your baby.