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Two Units with One Goal:
Providing Compassionate Care for Your Baby
 NICU
North
The NICU North at St. John's Mercy is a busy place most of the time. This atmosphere,
along with the equipment, tubes, wires and machines on and around your baby,
may make you feel overwhelmed. This is a natural reaction. An essential part
of your baby's care involves careful monitoring of vital signs (temperature,
heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure). The NICU staff uses a variety
of equipment to help monitor your baby. Just because a monitor's alarm sounds,
it does not mean there is a problem with your baby; infant monitors are extremely
sensitive and a false alarm can occur with the baby's movements. In the beginning,
you may feel unsure about touching your baby. Many parents do at first. However,
we encourage you to talk to and touch your baby. We urge you to participate
as much as possible in the care of your special baby. By touching, feeding and
caring for your baby- you will quickly establish a special bond.
- All NICU babies start
here.
- The medical staff in
the NICU North is very involved in every aspect of your baby's care.
NICU South
Sometime during your baby's stay, he or she may be moved to the NICU South.
The NICU North and NICU South share the same staff including doctors, neonatal
nurse practitioners, registered nurses, respiratory therapists, etc. However,
the NICU South focuses on premature infants who are preparing to go home as
well as full-term babies who may require special care. The unit stresses parent
teaching.
We encourage you, the parents,
to participate as much as possible in the daily care of your infant. The goal
we have been striving for throughout your baby's hospitalization has been to
prepare you, your family and your baby for discharge. By participating in the
care of your baby in the NICU, you will become familiar with the routines and
personality of your very special baby. Even though you have been intimately
involved with your baby's care, most parents still have many questions. Please
feel free to discuss your questions and concerns with our staff.
- Babies in NICU South
have improving conditions and are preparing to go home
- Parents become much more
involved in the day to day care of their baby.
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