Neonatal Research Network Funding Advances Care for Sanford Children's NICU Patients

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Sanford Children’s Boekelheide Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Sioux Falls recently secured extended funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) for Neonatal Research Network (NRN) clinical trials through 2030.  

Because Sanford Children’s is a member of the NRN, doctors and patients at Sanford have access to the newest and best treatment options. 

The NRN is a consortium of academic institutions that work together to determine which clinical trials will most improve the lives of critically ill newborns. Sanford Children’s is the only NRN location in the upper Midwest, operating as a satellite location for the University of Iowa. 

The continued funding through 2030 allows the hospital to participate in additional clinical studies like “Eat, Sleep, Console,” which looked at a new way to care for babies who have been exposed to opioids in utero. Researchers trained over 350 hospital employees to use a new screening and care module that shortened the length of stay in the NICU and strengthened a baby’s bond with parents. 

“Our NICU uses evidence-based care to assure that we have the best outcomes for all our babies,” says Michelle Baack, MD, pediatric research chair at Sanford Children’s.

The benefit of being a part of the NRN is not only high-quality care for babies who are currently in the NICU, but also the ability to follow up on their health and development one, two and even five years later. 

“They’re not lost when they go home,” says Dr. Baack. “And that helps support both our patients and our ongoing learning.”

Currently, Sanford Children’s in Sioux Falls has a 99% follow-up rate for age two assessments. Dr. Baack says supporting that follow-up rate is one of the most impactful parts of being in the NRN. 

“Many studies done for neonatal care only look at the time period while they’re in the NICU,” she says. “We are looking to see if new treatments improve neurodevelopment later on in life.” 

Being a member of the NRN also strengthens the culture of care at the hospital. 

“Clinical trials in the NICU actually create a culture of using state-of-the-art evidence-based care that assures excellence and the best outcomes for our babies,” says Dr. Baack.

Stephen Messier, MD, a neonatologist and the medical director of the Boekelheide NICU, says it is both an honor and a privilege to be identified as having a state-of-the-art NICU.

“When you have the ability to offer parents and their infants not only care but also the opportunity to be a part of the future of medicine, that’s important.”

The Boekelheide NICU provides high-quality care for premature, critically ill and low birthweight infants as well as those born with surgical needs or congenital problems.

“We take care of the tiniest and most fragile patients,” says Dr. Messier. 

The Boekelheide NICU is considered a Level IV facility, meaning it has the highest possible grading and is equipped to care for the most extreme cases. 

“There is a neonatologist in the hospital at all times,” Dr. Messier says. “That’s a big distinction and something we take pride in.” 

The neonatologists are supported by a robust team including pediatric neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric surgeons and neonatal nurse practitioners all housed in the Sanford Children’s Castle of Care, which is attached to the NICU.

“It’s not just neonatologists looking at a patient’s information,” says Dr. Messier. 

Over 100 nurses also specialize in neonatal care. And a multidisciplinary team including developmental and child life specialists, pediatric pharmacists, social workers, and case managers supports each family. 

Additionally, for patients outside of the immediate Sioux Falls area, the neonatal and maternal transport teams from Sanford AirMed are ready with lifesaving care when it’s needed. When a baby under one month of age needs to be transported, a neonatology team led by a nurse practitioner is on the flight and in conversation with a neonatologist at the hospital.

“I just don’t think there’s that type of collaboration at most places,” says Dr. Baack. 

Call 844-851-1515 to refer a patient to Sanford Children’s.