Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center
Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery

Conemaugh Health System offers the highest level of care for premature and ill newborns through its Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery. The unit provides medical and pulmonary care.

When a baby arrives in the Regional Intensive Care Nursery, diagnostic studies and treatment begin immediately. Many times, a newborn's organs are not mature enough to sustain life. Life-support systems may need to be intervened with until the baby gains enough strength to survive without medical assistance. Conemaugh's RICN staff explains each piece of equipment and its purpose to parents.

Our Team

Neonatologist, a pediatrician who specializes in the care of sick newborns
A nurse manager, who facilitates, evaluates and coordinates the daily operation of the NICU
Certified Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (CRPN's), and Physician Assistants who coordinate and direct the care of infants under the supervision of the neonatologist
Registered Nurses (RNs), who provide hands-on care for all infants
Occupational and speech therapists to help strengthen and monitor your baby’s developmental progress
Social service representatives, who can provide information on financial resources and transportation
Clerical Staff and Nursing Assistant, the first staff members that all visitors talk with at the NICU reception desk or via phone; responsible for ensuring patient safety by approving visitors for entry to the unit

Visitors

Families and friends are welcome to spend time with a new mother and her baby. A nurse will instruct visitors on how to wash their hands properly before each visit. During medical emergencies or procedures, visitors may need to wait before entering the nursery or be asked to leave. The nursing staff will provide additional information.

Visitors are limited to two at the bedside - one parent and one visitor. Families are allowed 2 visitors per day, with the exception of both sets of grandparents on admission. Hospital policy requires that children must be over the age of 12 to visit. No sibling visitation, less than 12 years old, allowed during RSV/Flu season (time changes as determined by physician). During non-season, sibling visitation is subject to restriction. Staff members are only permitted to discuss the infant's condition with parents in person and on the phone. Visitors cannot hold, feed, or touch the infant unless it is a parent or grandparent.

Parents, Siblings, and Grandparents

Visitation is allowed around the clock for parents, except 6:30am/pm-7:30 am/pm. During this time, no visitors may come in or out of the unit (or any phone calls) to limit shift change/report interruption.
Please have a nurse explain the sibling visiting policy before the first planned visit.
The infant's parents must accompany grandparents. Please limit visitors at the baby's bedside to two (one grandparent and one parent) at a time. Since grandparents may visit any time with parents, we ask that they do not visit during friends/relatives' visiting times. Grandparents may touch and hold the baby for a short period and are permitted to feed, bathe, or render any other care at the discretion of the parents and nursing staff.

Other Family Members and Friends

Family members and friends are welcome to visit mother and baby
Weekdays: 12 – 8 pm
Weekends/Holidays: 12 – 8 pm

**All visitation rules subject to change upon discretion of the unit

Going Home

Babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery are discharged when they no longer have emergent medical issues and have reached the following milestones:

Minimum of 35 weeks gestation
can maintain a stable body temperature without the help of an isolette
can tolerate feedings and gain weight regularly
does not have an illness that requires care that only a hospital can provide

Preparation for your baby's discharge begins early during the hospital stay. Parents are taught all aspects of the baby's care, and written instructions will be included in the baby's discharge information.