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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Level 3
About NICU | Ronald McDonald House | Questions & Answers
We're Still Here!
570-969-8341 or 1-800-477-BABY
The Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Community Medical Center will continue to accept neonatal transfers and provide care to premature and sick neonates throughout Northeast PA.
CMC's Level 3 NICU provides the highest level of care with the most advanced technology available in our community. We have a dedicated Neonatal Transport Team that will still serve our 7 county region with having received over 3,000 babies to CMC's NICU from other hospitals in Northeastern Pennsylvania ... and this will continue.
Delivering Extraordinary Results for over 28 years
CMC started the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 1980 with one goal in mind-to make sure every baby in Northeastern PA received the best care possible.
CMC’s NICU survivability rate of 99.4% is the best in the state
We dedicated our resources to give this community a state-of-the-art Neonatal facility that is recognized as one of the best in Pennsylvania. In fact, CMC’s NICU survivability rate of 99.4% is the best in the state. This success rate exemplifies the amazing medical accomplishments taking place every day at CMC.
During the past 25 years we’ve seen a lot of changes in the medical care and treatment of premature babies.From monitoring equipment, intubation and ventilation to advances in nutrition developed for the unique physiology of premature babies.Our team of four neonatologists and fifty-three nurses are here for you and your baby, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Call 1-800-477-BABY today for more information or a free tour.
What Is a Level 3 NICU?
A neonatal intensive care unit is a special nursery for premature and sick newborns. In the first few days and weeks of life, a sick newborn’s condition can fluctuate greatly. Our physicians and healthcare team work around the clock to provide for your infant°s special needs. Equipment and procedures specifically designed for babies help the team treat sick newborns until they are healthy enough to go home.
NICU Levels of Care
Level 3: Cares for premature (less than 34 weeks) and full term infants (40 weeks) who may have or develop severe or potentially life threatening conditions.
Level 2: Any newborn that may require monitoring after birth and requires more than routine newborn care.
Level 1: Routine newborn care
Very Special Delivery (NICU Mobile Transport Team)
In 1980 CMC dedicated its resources to provide this community with a Neonatal Facility that is now recognized as one of the best in the Pennsylvania. In fact, our survivability rate of 99.4%, is the best in the state. This success rate exemplifies the amazing medical accomplishments taking place everyday at CMC.
Few parents think their baby might need special medical care after birth. But one out of nine expectant mothers does not carry to full term. CMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is the region’s leader in providing comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical care to critically ill or premature infants.
Last year 144 babies were transferred to CMC from other hospitals. Our NICU mobile transport team is available around-the-clock to make sure every baby in our community receives the best medical care. Since we opened the NICU our neonatologists have treated and delivered over 20,000 babies.
Ronald McDonald House
We are fortunate to have the Ronald McDonald House only a block from CMC. Supported by the community, McDonald s Restaurants, CMC and local businesses, the Ronald McDonald House offers a home away from home for the families of babies in the NICU. The Ronald McDonald House is a true asset to the community. Guests can stay near their loved ones without excessive travel and exorbitant hotel costs.
Ask your baby’s nurse or contact social services for information about the Ronald McDonald House. Or, or more information, please feel free to call the Ronald McDonald House at (570) 969-8998 or visit their website at www.rmhscranton.org
Questions and Answers for Parents of NICU Babies
Who Takes Care of My Baby? | What About Visiting My Baby? | Nursing Your Baby | Taking Your Baby Home | Follow-up Care | Are Gifts Permitted? | How Long Will My Baby Stay in the NICU?
Your Care and Comfort
We realize that having a baby in the NICU can be difficult for parents. Please remember that we re here to help your baby, but we’re also here for you. Please feel free to ask any questions and share your concerns. We’ll do our best to help.
A social worker is available 24 hours a day to help families deal with their emotions and needs while having a baby in the NICU.
We have several comfortable rooms especially for you and your family. A family room offers a comfortable seating area with a television and VCR, toys and a bathroom. Families can use the room for naps. Children can wait here while under adult supervision.
We provide a bedroom where parents and their babies can prepare for discharge. It also allows moms to breastfeed in a quiet place and to gain a few quiet moments alone before discharge.
Who Takes Care of My Baby?
A team of specialists will care for your infant's unique condition. A neonatologist-a specially trained baby doctor-will discuss your baby’s treatment and any questions you may have.
At CMC, we have an energetic staff with special skills and lots of experience. Our doctors and nurses are experts in the care of babies and they understand the feelings and fears you have as the parent of a sick newborn. CMC s four neonatologists are salaried employees of the hospital who dedicate their time and skills to your infant’s care.
Our neonatologists are:
Dr. J. Delfor Salazar, Director of the NICU
Dr. Luis Vera
A neonatologist is available around the clock. Every day, a neonatologist will check your baby's condition, note it and update the place of care with the NICU nurses. The neonatologist also will update your pediatrician on your baby's progress, discharge and follow-up plan. If you need to reach our neonatologists, please call (570) 969-8375, or 1-800-477-BABY.
Other specialists who may see your baby:
- A pediatric neurologist is a doctor who diagnoses and treats nervous system disorders. This doctor also performs hearing tests on infants after discharge.
- An ophthalmologist is a doctor who checks your baby's eyes.
- Your baby also may need checkups from a pediatric cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in heart disorders or heart problems.
The NICU nurses are trained specialists who are dedicated to delivering skilled care to your baby. They are with your baby around the clock, caring for his or her needs and sharing their love and support. Other members of the team caring for your infant include respiratory therapists, radiologists, x-ray and ultrasound technologists, laboratory technologists, an early intervention coordinator and a social worker.
What About Visiting My Baby?
Parents are a very important part of the team needed to care for sick newborns. We encourage you to participate in your infant's care 24 hours per day except:
- During nurse shift changes: Nurse shift changes are: 6:45 a.m. to 7:15 a.m., 2:45 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., and 10:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.
- During daily physician rounds: Daily physician rounds are from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Rounds, however, may take more or less time depending on needs in the NICU.
- During an emergency.
Siblings and family members can observe the NICU through our large windows that make seeing your baby easy. We encourage you to actively participate in your baby s recovery as much as possible. However, we do limit visitors to parents and grandparents with only two people at a bedside at a time.
Before entering the NICU, parents and grandparents must scrub their hands and arms for at least three minutes, and must wear cover gowns. If you leave the NICU please discard your gown in the proper hamper. Upon your return please rescrub your hands and regown for the safety of your baby. Also, in order to protect your baby's health, parents and grandparents should be free of infection, such as colds and fevers. Please contact your infant s nurse if you have any questions regarding this policy.
Nursing Your Baby
When your baby's digestive system is sufficiently developed, the baby can be fed at breast or from a bottle. Your baby will be fed formula, or if you prefer, you may pump your breasts and bring the milk to feed your baby. Our NICU nurses will provide you with sterile containers and assist you as necessary.
Once your baby is strong enough, we encourage you to feed your baby yourself. Your baby's nurse will be happy to work out a feeding schedule with you.
Taking Your Baby Home
Babies often need special care even after they leave the NICU. Don't worry. We'll teach you how to care for you little one. We'll coach you on baby-care routines and share helpful advice for making your baby happy and comfortable. Some routines such as changing diapers and feeding are easy. If your baby needs special support, we'll teach you to use monitors and other therapy equipment.
We encourage you to spend a lot of time with us before your baby's discharge. If you do, you ll feel much more confident and be more capable when you take your baby home.
Your doctor will let you know when you can take your baby home. Here are some of the guidelines that we follow before babies are discharged.
- Your baby must be able to maintain his or her body temperature in an open crib.
- Your baby must be breathing well on his or her own.
- Your baby must be feeding well either from a bottle or the breast.
- Your baby must be steadily gaining weight.
- You must demonstrate the ability to care for your infant.
Follow-up Care
A follow-up apnea clinic is available at CMC. Appointments for this clinic will be made prior to your baby’s discharge. If your baby requires a monitor for home use, follow-up will be provided with the neonatologists at CMC. Please choose a doctor or clinic before your baby leaves the NICU. If you choose a private doctor, choose one who is an expert on babies. Visit your doctor regularly. Learn when your baby needs his or her shots and how to reach your doctor in emergencies. Ask for our help if you are confused about choosing a doctor. We can provide a list of pediatricians for you to contact.
Physician appointments/consults and any other follow-ups will be made for your baby prior to discharge. Your baby's nurse will review your baby’s discharge plan and answer questions regarding appointments that are made. It is very important that you keep these scheduled appointments.
Are Gifts Permitted?
Lots of love is the greatest gift you can give your baby. Feeling your touch and hearing your voice helps your baby's healing process. You can never offer too much TLC.
Babies also love toys--especially bright ones with contrasting colors. Bring pictures, toys and clothes for you baby. We only ask that toys be clean and washable. You're also welcome to bring music boxes, tape recordings of your voice and photos of family members. Stuffed toys must be placed in plastic.
When you visit our NICU for the first time, we ll capture you and your baby on film. This is only one of many photos you'll have for your scrapbook. Feel free to bring your own cameras. We only ask that you used them near your baby's bed so other babies aren’t disturbed.
Please clearly mark each item with your baby's name in permanent marker. Any clothes you bring will be washed in our washer. Again, please be sure each item is marked.
How Long Will My Baby Stay in the NICU?
The amount of time your baby stays in the NICU depends on his or her condition. Each baby's condition is unique and is evaluated daily. The attending physician will discuss your infant's progress and discharge plan with you.
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