Countless factors can interfere with a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
That is why Altru Health System has a team dedicated to supporting each
unique childbirth experience. With extensive training and access to sophisticated
equipment and technology, our neonatologists and other specialists are
prepared to help mom and baby through high-risk situations.
A 16-bed, Level III nursery, with four private patient care rooms
Specifically designed to care for critically ill infants and assist with
high-risk deliveries
Furnished with a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment and services
to produce the best possible outcomes for neonates
Altru also offers neonatal patient transportation services through
Altru Care Flight, an air ambulance transport program serving our region. This air ambulance
features sophisticated equipment and a critical care trained staff to
escort our littlest patients where they need to go.
The NICU is a Level III nursery designed to support newborns in need of
specialized care, including:
Babies born earlier than 32 weeks
Babies facing critical illness
Babies in need of respiratory support
Babies weighing less than 1,500 grams (about 3.3 pounds)
Moms who experience complications during pregnancy are more likely to have
a baby that will require time in the NICU. Specifically, factors that
may cause a high-risk pregnancy include:
Being pregnant with multiple babies at once
Chronic medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, diabetes, heart
disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and significant obesity
Having a premature baby (born earlier than 37 weeks) during a previous pregnancy
Our Team of Experts
A range of experts in the Altru NICU offer mom and baby round-the-clock support.
Our neonatologist provides coverage 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
If needed during the infant’s NICU stay, consultations are made with
neurologists, ophthalmologists, audiologists, cardiologists, nephrologists,
physiatrists, geneticists, surgeons and any other specialist who may be
necessary. Consultations with neonatologists from tertiary care centers
are also available.
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), an advanced practice nurse who provides critical care to neonates, assists
with medical procedures and treatments, and helps coordinate care for
our tiniest patients.
Registered nurses (RNs), including some RNC-NIC (RNs certified in caring for neonatal patients)
and/or transport nurses, are staffed in the NICU 24 hours per day, seven
days a week. All nurses are certified in neonatal resuscitation and are
trained to perform specialized procedures.
Respiratory therapists (RTs) also play a vital role in the day-to-day care of infants in the NICU. RTs
manage ventilator settings and the oxygenation of the infants through
the use of blood gas measurements. They are also trained in neonatal resuscitation
and attend high-risk deliveries.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) assist families in providing developmentally supportive care for their newborn.
Lactation consultants work with mothers to encourage
breastfeeding by:
Teaching mothers how to effectively pump to keep their milk supply up while
the baby is in the NICU
Assisting with waking the baby, as well as getting and keeping the baby
latched so mom can nurse as long as possible
NICU Cuddlers are trained adult volunteers who provide comfort and console newborns
through holding, soothing and stimulating tones and words, and singing
lullabies.
Additional Information
Receiving Updates About an Infant
To assist the NICU staff in maintaining confidentiality and patient privacy,
information about the infant’s status can only be given to the mother
and father/support person.
If an infant’s stay is predicted to last longer than the mother’s
stay, the mother and father/support person will be provided a toll-free
telephone number they can call to obtain updates on the infant’s
condition.
Family members or friends must receive updates through the mother and father/support person.
Photography
We request parents limit photography of their infant for confidentiality reasons.
Please ask staff if you want to include them in any photography/videotaping.
Altru’s Family Birthing Center and its NICU are located on the fourth
floor of Altru Hospital. For more information, please call
701.780.5480 or
800.732.4277.
