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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Welcome to Garnet Health Medical Center's Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or more commonly known as the NICU. The birth of your baby is a special time for your family and we realize it may also be a stressful time.

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce ourselves and explain some of the unit procedures. Your baby has been admitted to the NICU because he or she requires specialized care. This may have been unsuspected. Please be assured that our team of specialists have years of experience in caring for and treating the tiniest of patients.

We are here to help, and look forward to caring for you and your baby.

Our 10-bed, Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is located at the Rowley Family Birthing Center on the 6th floor and will complement current perinatal services. Full-time neonatologists, affiliated with Maria Fareri Children's Hospital at Westchester Medical Center, will care for your premature and sick infants requiring specialty care in our NICU.

We provide a full array of specialized equipment and delivery room coverage along with all required support services around the clock. We are prepared to serve the needs of our rapidly growing population and demand for local NICU practitioners who will provide expertise and support to you and your infant.

Made possible by a gift from Hailey's Hope Foundation, we are proud to offer NICU families a resource room. This room is an exclusive area that provides NICU families a quiet and comfortable space to support you during your visit as you participate in your infant's care.

Download the NICU Resource Room Brochure

2 Pounds, 7 Ounces. A Story of Baby Jamie's Birth and NICU Stay

Listen in as Amanda's tells her birth story and accounts her experience of her son's stay in our Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

“He only weighed 2 pounds, 7 ounces. I got to put my hand in the incubator because he couldn’t be held yet. These tiny little fingers that were no bigger than your thumbnail. It was just amazing, and all the nurses were like, ‘He’s doing great, mama! He’s fine.’ And to hear them call me ‘mama’- it hit me. I’m somebody’s mom. That’s it, we did it. We’re here – and he’s going to be ok.”


The Schust Family Welcomes Twin Boys

First time parents Kendra and Jeff Schust first visit to the hospital for the birth of their twins. Learn about their experience.

"When I left the hospital knowing that they’re in great care, they’re in good hands, it was easier to leave. Having the level II NICU here is amazing…people from the Hudson Valley don’t have to travel 45 minutes to an hour to a Level II or a Level III NICU in order to see your baby."


Born 10 Weeks Early

Tara Knack-Moreno describes giving birth to her son 10 weeks early. She commends the staff, physicians and the family focused care she received during their stay.

"He was being loved by them. He wasn't just a number or a patient."


Julianna's Birth Story

Listen in as Christine Colom's tells her birth story and accounts her experience her daughter's stay.

"We had a great experience with Garnet Health Medical Center when my son was born 5 years ago, so I had no concerns when we realized that [our daughter] was going to have to NICU. Everyone was so wonderful and understanding and caring," says Christine Colom, Rowley Family Birthing Center patient."


Jack's Stay in the NICU

Jacqueline Sinclair-Cicchiello describes the experience of giving birth to Jack who was experiencing breathing difficulties.

"The nurses allowed us to sit by him hours upon hours and we always did feel confident in the care he was receiving. They would call us around the clock when we were home. They would call to tell us the good news, the not-so-good news. They called just to see how we were doing. The communication was over the top. They were just always consistently communicating..."

What are the NICU visiting hours?

Maximum of two visitors per bedside at any time and must be accompanied by a parent with a baby band. We ask that all visitors wash their hands and forearms with antibacterial soap upon entering the unit. (Hand washing is the #1 way to reduce infection). If you have a cold or any other infectious illness, please inform the staff and we will determine how to proceed.

Parents:

  • 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • 8:00 PM - 7:00 AM

Grandparents:

  • 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Other Adult Visitors:

  • 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Siblings of the Baby:

  • 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
  • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Please be advised that visitation is at the discretion of our NICU staff to ensure the best care for your infant.**
During the year, typically between November and March, the CDC may declare Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Season. At this time, visitation to the NICU may be limited as a preventative health precaution. RSV can cause severe infection, and potentially serious complications, in babies that are preterm or have special healthcare needs.

**We reserve the right to modify visitation at any time to protect the health of our infant patients.

What type of equipment is used in the NICU?

The NICU is a technologically advanced clinical environment.  The following explains some of the equipment commonly used in our unit.

  • Cardiac Monitors - Give a constant reading of your baby’s heart rate and respiratory rate. Three leads, or adhesive pads connected to wires, will be placed on your infant’s chest that will transmit information to the monitor.
  • Pulse Oximeter - Give a constant reading of your baby’s oxygen level. A small wrap with a light will be placed on your infant’s hands or feet to obtain this reading.
  • Isolette - Also called an incubator; is used to keep the baby warm.
  • Radiant Warmer - An open bed with a “heat lamp” over the baby. A small skin thermistor will be placed on the infant’s abdomen to control the baby’s temperature. A desired temperature will be set by your infant's care team.  The bed will automatically give more or less heat to maintain the infant's temperature.  Your baby will not be dressed while on the bed (except for a diaper).
  • Phototherapy - A treatment for hyperbilirubinemia and jaundice that involves the exposure of an infant's bare skin to intense fluorescent light.  A light is placed over your infant's isolette or a lighted blanket is placed under your infant's back to help lower the bilirubin level.  Your infant's eyes will be covered and he will be diapered during the treatment.  Your baby will be given a rest from the lights every three hours for feeding and bonding.
  • Nasogastric/Gastric Tube - Also called a feeding tube or gavage tube; this tube will be placed in your baby's mouth or nose when the baby when the baby is unable to breastfeed or bottle feed the amount of breast milk or formula needed to promote growth and weight gain.
  • IV’s - A small plastic catheter that is placed in a vein to provide medication or fluids to your baby. An IV may be inserted into the hands, arms or feet. All IV fluids and medications are given through an automated pump to ensure safety.

Is the NICU staff specialized to treat my baby?

  • Neonatologist - Physician specializing in the care of the sick or premature newborn.
  • Nurse Practitioner - An Advanced Practice Nurse with specialized training in neonatology who works in collaboration with the neonatologist.
  • Neonatal Nurse - A Registered Nurse who has received additional education and training in the care of the sick and premature newborn.
  • Respiratory Therapist - Practitioner that provides support to newborns that require oxygen or assistance with breathing.
  • Lactation Consultant - A nurse with advanced education and expertise related to breastfeeding.

Common NICU Terms Explained

  • Anemia - A low number of red blood cells in the blood.
  • Antibiotics - Medication to help fight infection.
  • Apnea - A period when breathing has stopped. The baby may start to breathe on his or her own or may need stimulation.
  • Bagging - A method of filling your baby's lungs with air and oxygen by using a rubber bag, mask and oxygen.
  • Bilirubin - A yellow-colored substance in the body that is made when red cells in the blood are digested by the liver. Too much bilirubin in the body can lead to jaundice.
  • Blood Gas - A blood test that measures the concentration of oxygen in the baby's blood.
  • Bradycardia - A heart rate that is slower than normal. This can happen when the baby has apnea.
  • Desaturation (desats) - Short periods of time when the oxygen in your baby's system drops below the normal level.
  • Grams - A measurement of weight. Your baby is weighed in grams in the hospital. You can convert grams to pounds and ounces. 1 ounce = 28 grams; 1 pound = 454 grams.
  • Heel Stick - A way to obtain a blood sample by pricking the baby's heel.
  • Hyperalimentation or TPN - Providing nutrition through a vein when your baby cannot be fed or is not taking enough nutrition by mouth.
  • Jaundice - The yellow skin color caused by too much bilirubin in the blood.
  • Lipids - Fats and proteins given through an IV to help your baby grow.
  • Metabolic Screening - A state required newborn screening that tests the blood for several diseases. Sometimes called PKU test, although this is not the official name.
  • NPO - Abbreviation for nothing by mouth.
  • Phototherapy - Special fluorescent light treatment for jaundice that helps break down the bilirubin in the blood.
  • Pneumothorax - A collection of air in the space between the lung and the chest wall that causes the lung to collapse.
  • Residual - The amount of undigested food left in your baby's stomach. This is checked before the next feeding if your baby is being fed with a feeding tube.
  • Sepsis - An infection in the blood or other part of the body.
  • Tachycardia - An abnormally fast heart rate.
  • Tachypnea - An abnormally fast breathing rate.
  • Vital signs - Your baby's heart rate, breathing rate, temperature and blood pressure.