When babies arrive early, or need extra help, the Lutheran Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is ready with experience, compassion and care for baby and family. Managing the medical development of these special babies is only one part of what makes our NICU so special.
The Lutheran Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a regional center in northeastern Indiana, serving hospitals in a 60-mile radius of Fort Wayne. The NICU provides specialized around-the-clock critical care for premature infants and infants born with health problems. The infants receive continuous observation and treatment by registered nurses certified in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program and trained in high-tech critical care. Many of the nurses have additional training in the S.T.A.B.L.E. program. The medical staff includes five board-certified neonatologists, physicians specializing in the care of premature and sick infants, who are responsible for the care of these infants at all times. Other board-certified pediatric specialists support the NICU, including, but not limited to, a pediatric surgeon, hematologist, a nephrologist, neurologists, neurosurgeons, an endocrinologist, a gastroenterologist, pulmonologists, and cardiologists. In addition to the physician and nurses, our team includes social workers, certified pediatric dieticians, rehabilitation staff specially trained to care for neonates, lactation consultants and other support staff.
A family-centered Approach to Neonatal Healthcare
Caring for the family, parents, siblings, grandparents and other caregivers is something that we take very seriously. Our entire team is dedicated to helping you help your baby. Our neonatal team is here to answer your questions and provide the support and education that is so important as you learn to care for your baby.
Infection Control
Before entering the NICU, everyone must wash their hands at the sink outside of the unit, and put on a gown. Visitors will also use the alcohol foam handwash at the door before entering.
Visitation
Parents may visit any time with the exception of shift change or during emergency procedures. Changes of shift are posted outside the door. This allows the nursing staf to give and receive reports confidentially and to complete initial assessments so that when you come for your visit, they can spend more time assisting you and answering your questions.
All visitors must answer a health-screen questionnaire before being allowed to visit. This screen helps to decrease the neonate's exposure to outside illnesses.
Only two people per baby may visit at a time, with one being a parent. All visitors must be 18 years of age or older (except siblings), pass the screening and be accompanied by a parent. Clergy is the exception to this rule. A twin or triplet that has been discharged will not be allowed back into the unit for visitation. Siblings must be at least 3 years of age and proof of immunizations must be provided before the sibling may visit.
Phone
Parents may call any time and are encouraged to call at least once a day. Only parents may receive information over the phone. The phone number for the nurses' station is (260) 435-7341.
Food on the Unit
Food and beverage are not allowed in the unit, however, they may be consumed in the lounge. The Garden Terrace cafeteria is located on the lower level. A cafeteria discount pass is provided to all parents upon baby's admission to the unit.
Safety Measures
The safety of your baby while in our care is a priority for Lutheran Children's Hospital associates. For this reason, we have developed the following measures to ensure your infant's safety:
- The NICU is a locked down unit. The nursing staff will explain the procedure for entering the unit.
- All Lutheran Hospital associates are required to wear identifying name badges at all times. The badges of associates caring for infants in the NICU and Newborn Nursery are yellow. No one except your physician or NICU/newborn staff should be requesting to take your infant from the unit.
- Lutheran Children's Hospital will not release information regarding the condition of its patients over the phone to anyone except the parents or legal guardians.
- Rubber (latex) balloons are prohibited in the hospital. Mylar or foil balloons are welcome.
- Neither flowers nor plants are allowed in the unit.
- By Indiana law, no infant may be dismissed from the hospital in a vehicle without being properly restrained in an approved car seat. Car seat inspectors are available by appointment to inspect and/or install the infant's seat.
Breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least the first year of baby's life. Breastfed children have fewer ear infections, lower respiratory infections and urinary tract infections than formula-fed children. They also have diarrhea less often.
In the last three months of pregnancy, an infant receives antibodies from his mother to build a strong immune system that protects him from infection and disease. A premature infant may miss out on this special protection, but the mother's milk can provide the necessary antibodies he needs. Her body knows that her baby was born too early, and her milk will contain more protein, fat and other nutrients for the first weeks after birth to provide for his special needs.
Our team encourages and supports the mother who chooses to breastfeed her neonate. We work with the mother to help her provide breast milk to her infant through direct breastfeeding if the infant is well enough, or by helping her pump milk, which is then given to the infant. Our certified lactation consultants will work with the mother at this time.
Kangaroo Care
Kangaroo Care is a method of holding a premature infant. It is performed by the parents, and it complements the care provided by our medical team. During Kangaroo Care, the infant, dressed only in a diaper, rests against the parent's bare chest, skin-to-skin. The baby receives stimulation from physical contact, and the feelings of warmth and closeness promote bonding between parent and baby.
Kangaroo Care is safe and beneficial for premature infants who are considered to be in stable condition. Babies on ventilators can also receive Kangaroo Care as long as the neonatologist feels the baby can tolerate it. Additional information is available on admission.
General Issues
- A shower is available for parent use. Towels, washcloths and toiletries are also available.
- Lutheran Hospital is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the campus.
Lounge/Sleeping Arrangements
A parent lounge is located across the hall from the unit. Blankets and pillows are provided upon request. A restroom is located in the hallway. For those needing sleeping accommodations outside the hospital, Mad Anthony's Children's Hope Hospitality House is available on the Lutheran Campus. Your nurse/social worker can help you make arrangements to stay. The phone number for Children's Hope is (260) 459-8550, or visit childrenshopefw.com.
Additional Breastfeeding Web sites:
