NICU, Neonatal Care

:: Click here to view/download the NICU Orientation Packet

If your baby is born before his or her "due date" or just needs special attention, Baptist Medical Center has the staff and facilities to provide care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU is staffed by experienced professionals who are dedicated to providing round-the-clock attention to our tiniest and most precious patients. In addition, the NICU is a secured area.

Board-certified neonatalogists are available 24 hours a day. Additionally, all our NICU nurses are specially certified to provide advanced resusitation measures, and the NICU staff includes a dedicated respiratory therapist.

Family focused care and developmentally supportive nursing care are practiced in the NICU, and parents are encouraged to touch, hold, feed and care for their babies as much as possible. Twins and triplets are co-bedded (kept in the same crib).

Case Management
The Case Management team, comprised of a Case Manager (RN) and a Social Worker, can assist with various issues during your baby's hospitalization. These include helping with arrangements for housing at the Ronald McDonald House, transfer to another facility, and providing information regarding resources (WIC, Medicaid, etc.) Case Management can also assist with discharge planning by arranging for medical equipment such as home oxygen or home apnea monitor, as well as arranging home health.

Special Services for NICU Babies

• Family Participation Unit (FPU)
When an infant no longer requires an intensive care setting but extended care with a specially skilled RN is still required, the baby may be moved the the Family Participation Unit (FPU). This area focuses on family involvement and provides extended visiting hours in a more relaxed environment. Parents may choose to spend the night with their infant in this unit in preparation for caring for their baby after discharge. Familes especially enjoy the private time they are allowed when they stay in the Family Participation Unit.

The March of Dimes's Family Support Program at Baptist
Baptist's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is the first Mississippi site chosen for the March of Dimes's NICU Family Support program. As part of the program, the March of Dimes provides a part-time employee to serve as their NICU Family Support Specialist on site at Baptist. The Specialist serves as the liaison for physicians and staff for the families of babies in the NICU.

The NICU Family Support program provides information and comfort to families during the NICU hospitalization of their newborn, during the transition home, and in the event of a newborn death. It also contributes to NICU staff professional development and promotes the philosophy of family-centered care throughout the NICU.

In addition to providing the Family Support Specialist, the March of Dimes also distributes a Parent Care Kit to every NICU family. All materials are available in English and Spanish. The Parent Care Kit includes:
-Baby: A Keepsake Journal
-NICU: A Guide and Glossary
-Parent: You & Your Baby in the NICU

Not included in the kit, but available on closed-circuit TV at Baptist are two videos also provided by the program: "First Days: Parenting in the NICU" and "When Baby Comes Early: A Parent's Guide to Prematurity."

Additionally, a committee made up of parent volunteers and NICU staff work together to develop and implement programs specifically designed to meet the needs of families at Baptist.

Additional Resources:
March of Dimes - information regarding prematurely born children
www.marchofdimes.org