Moms giving birth to infants who are sick or born prematurely now have the added comfort and convenience of a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit opened recently at Chandler Regional Medical Center.
The unit offers 12 private patient rooms with overnight accommodations, as well as a private restroom and shower for one parent or caregiver.
Moms and babies who are being cared for in the specialized unit are those who require monitoring and, in some cases, support of vital functions.
Around-the-clock care is provided by neonatal nurse practitioners with specialized training beyond that of a registered nurse. Neonatologists oversee the care plan and are readily available should changes occur in the patient’s condition, according to hospital CEO Patty White.
“While planning our NICU, it was important that we provide private rooms with the necessary accommodations so a loved one could stay with the baby,” said White. “The personal needs of our patients play a key role in the development of our new services.”
The hospital’s Family Birth Center recently completed several improvement projects designed to better serve patients, including spacious dedicated rooms for labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum stay; a secure postpartum area with large modern rooms; and a dedicated antepartum unit for patients in need of hospitalization and monitoring during their pregnancy. Each private room has a full monitoring system for mom and baby along with amenities such as crafts, movies, games, magazines and free Wi-Fi access.
Also part of the recent improvements is an enhanced-services nursery with 16 beds for those requiring specialized care.
