The Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a
designated Level 4 Facility providing the highest level of care within
the state of Louisiana. The unit has 36 critical care beds for newborns
and provides care for sick infants with problems resulting from prematurity,
birth defects or acquired conditions. The NICU is a state-of-the-art,
11,000-square-foot facility with 24-hour air and ground transport available
for the sickest babies. The NICU has private and semi-private rooms available
and has expanded to more than five times its original size since opening in 1988.
The care team
All infants are under the care of the neonatologists with help from the
largest team of pediatric specialists in the state of Louisiana, if needed.
A broad range of medical specialists and allied health providers are available.
Highly specialized therapies are provided, including:
Conventional mechanical ventilation
High frequency ventilation
Inhaled nitric oxide therapy
Peritoneal and hemodialysis
ECMO (heart/lung bypass)
Therapeutic hypothermia
Social workers and case managers are on staff to assist families. The neonatologists
help train the largest group of future neonatologists and pediatricians
in Louisiana. Neonatology fellows and pediatric residents, in addition
to specialized neonatal nurse practitioners, are included in the patient
care team.
Parents are encouraged to visit as often as they are able to foster our
dedication to family-centered care. Daily rounds begin at 9 am, and we
invite parents to join in rounds as they are an integral part of the care team.
All visitors must be free of any cold or flu-like symptoms. Three visitors
are permitted at each bedside at one time.
Visitation is allowed 24 hours a day, except during a sterile procedure.
During RSV/Flu season, the minimum age to enter the unit for visiting
is 12 years old.
Taking photos and videos of the babies is encouraged to promote bonding
with siblings/family members who are unable to visit. Live-streaming bedside
cameras are also available 24 hours a day so parents and family members
can view their baby through a password-protected website. Breastfeeding
is always encouraged, and lactation support is available to help nursing
mothers provide milk for their infants.
Phone calls
Parents may call the NICU 24 hours a day at
504.896.9418.
Housing
Only one person will be allowed to sleep at the patient’s bedside
overnight, if the infant’s condition allows. Our social work team
is available to help each family should they need assistance with housing
accommodations while their baby is in the NICU.
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