Haley Nicole Richardson of Manchester, a patient the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, smiles at her parents. She was born at Vanderbilt on Jan. 22 and weighed 4 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. (photo by Dana Johnson)
Growing pains….NICU expands
Ellen Gregory, R. N., holds NICU patient Zavier Taylor of Nashville in the expansion area of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which opened last week. Taylor was born at 28 weeks on Dec. 4 and only weighed 2 pounds, 12 ounces at birth. He was released from the NICU this week after reaching 5 pounds. (photo by Dana Johnson)
NICU patient Zavier Taylor yawns after waking from a nap. (photo by Dana Johnson)
In an effort to develop a better environment for newborns, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has expanded into Medical Center East, adding an additional six beds.
With 54 beds, the unit will provide a better service to the region by accepting more transfers from referring hospitals.
"It gives us more space for parents," explained Diane Deslauriers, NICU manager. "We'll have more space to provide a better developmental environment for our babies, with less noise and stress."
The average census in the NICU has been 43 patients, and with the expansion, the average should increase to 50 patients, Deslauriers said.
The expanded NICU is located near the Well Baby Nursery, 4109A Medical Center East.
The NICU, founded by Dr. Mildred Stahlman in 1962, has become a Level III regional referral center, admitting 1,000 patients per year (55 percent outborn and 45 percent inborn). A multi-disciplinary team approach supports the families as well as the infants, working to provide the best possible outcome for both. The team includes NNPs, RNs, Care Partners, and dedicated RTS. Interns and residents rotate through the NICU in order to complete their Pediatric Residency Program.