Specialized Care for our Smallest Patients
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Timpanogos Regional Hospital provides specialized care for the smallest patients, from premature infants to sick "term" newborns. In fact, we now have the capacity to care for younger and smaller preemies, as young as 26 weeks gestation and as small as 1 ½ pounds.
The medical team is led by board-certified Neonatology staff with many additional years of subspecialty training in the care of newborns born too early or with medical complications. It is reassuring to know that should your newborn need specialized care, our neonatology physicians- are available 24 hours a day. They are assisted by neonatal nurse practitioners, an experienced nursing staff, pharmacists, and dieticians dedicated to the physical and developmental needs of babies. In addition, a licensed social worker is available to assist with any parent/patient and family needs.
The NICU features several lifesaving technologies, including the only HeRO® monitor in the entire state of Utah. This early warning system predicts deadly sepsis infection and other serious conditions before symptoms are visible in premature babies. In August 2011, a long-standing study showed that this monitoring system increases survival by 20%– that could lead to an additional 1,200 premature babies surviving every year nationwide.
“The HeRO system alerts us to a dangerous infection that occurs often in premature babies,” explained Dale Gerstmann, M.D., NICU medical director at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. “It has so much potential for saving lives. We are grateful to know that we’ll be sending more babies home with their parents than ever before – thanks to this innovative technology.”
This specialized expertise, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, will help your baby grow and thrive. Read more about what to expect in the NICU, or take a peek at recent NICU graduates.
Highlights:
- 24/7 care from our Board-Certified neonatologists
- Specially-trained nursing care, respiratory support, and 24 hour a day monitoring.
- Medical management in our 24-bed Level III NICU
Specialists and Staff:
Physicians- Our physicians are Board-Certified in Neonatology. They collaborate with experienced perinatologists, OB/GYNs, and pediatricians on high-risk cases. They provide consultation on high-risk pregnancies, are bedside at delivery, and monitor development after birth.
Nurses- Our NICU is staffed by nearly 60 RNs trained in neonatal care and several with 10+ years of experience.
Supporting Interdisciplinary Teams- We have all the interdisciplinary staff needed to support neonatal care: a Board-Certified lactation consultant; respiratory, occupational, physical, and speech therapists; registered dietitians; lab technicians; licensed social workers; and transport teams.
Transport Teams- The neonatal transport nurses are RNs who have training in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP); and Sugar & Safe Care, Temperature, Airway, Blood Pressure, Lab work, Emotional Support (STABLE).
Maternal and Fetal Care:
If pre-labor complications are expected, call 801-714-6025 to find perinatology and neonatology specialists for early consultation.
- preterm labor
- preterm rupture of membranes
- severe pregnancy-induced hypertension or other hypertensive complications
- antepartum hemorrhage
- multiple gestation
- malpresentation
- medical complications of pregnancy (e.g., diabetes, renal disease, hepatitis)
- intrauterine growth restriction
- fetal abnormalities
- inadequate progress in labor
Newborn Care:
- all gestational ages, especially 34 weeks or younger (due to high likelihood of feeding difficulties and respiratory problems)
- low birth weight
- severe infection
- feeding difficulties
- persistent respiratory distress
- minor congenital malformations requiring special diagnostic procedures or treatments
- sequelae of hypoxic ischemic events with persistent evidence of multisystem organ dysfunction
