Hospital’s Special Care Nursery Provides Extra Support For Newborns In Need
The process of childbirth is one of the most natural things in the world — and also one of the most overwhelming. You are excited about the new addition to your family, but also concerned about the unknowns of childbirth and everything that comes after it. Columbus Community Hospital is here to help.
The hospital’s maternal child health department features:
Eight labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum rooms (LDRPs).
A surgical suite.
Four postpartum rooms.
Two nurseries (well-baby and special care nursery).
A guest waiting room.
Two nourishment centers for families.
Sometimes, a baby needs extra care before being discharged from the hospital. The hospital’s Level II special care nursery, formally known as the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), gives newborns the extra attention they need while adjusting to the world for the first time.
As a Level II special care nursery, hospital staff can care for babies born as early as 34 weeks’ gestation. Often, the infant’s lungs are not fully developed, and they need extra assistance with breathing. As a result, the special care nursery offers:
Short-term respiratory support, including nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and a nasal cannula that delivers oxygen.
Intravenous (IV) therapy.
Treatment of blood sugar imbalances.
The special care nursery also cares for babies who weren’t necessarily born premature, but who need time to grow and learn how to eat.
“The special care nursery is more than just a name,” said Kim Eisenmann, maternal child health director at the hospital. “It is a true reflection of the care we provide to our tiniest patients. It’s a place that encompasses the care of both our babies and the families who are navigating through the challenges of having their baby in the special care nursery.”
Inside the special care nursery, families will find four private rooms. Each room has recliners so parents can be comfortable, and if the parents wish to stay overnight, they can sleep in an extra room on the same unit.
The nursery is staffed by nurses specially trained in newborn critical care, and who work under the direction of board-certified pediatricians. Their shared expertise allows for immediate attention and top-notch care close to home.
Eisenmann said her team takes pride in providing specialized care close to home and offering a unique environment of high-quality care for patients and their families.
To learn more about Columbus Community Hospital’s maternal child health department or special care nursery, visit columbushosp.org.