Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Providing the Highest Level of Neonatal Care
Our 40-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides nationally-recognized, family-centered care for critically ill newborns with complex care needs. This specialized nursery is not just for premature babies or those carried through high-risk pregnancies—even full-term babies sometimes unexpectedly need a little extra support.
Our team provides a full range of highly specialized (subspecialty) medical and surgical services all in one place, which means we can care for the very smallest and sickest babies, including newborns who:
- Need a machine to help them breathe (require conventional and high frequency assisted ventilation)
- Undergo surgery or cardiothoracic surgery
- Require nitric oxide therapy to help combat lung problems
- Require cooling for neonatal brain injuries
- Have hereditary metabolic disorders and require dialysis and further diagnosis
- Need highly specialized care for complex problems
- Require more complex therapies, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
Quick Access to Nationally-Recognized Neonatal Care
For babies born at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, our NICU is just down the hall from Labor and Delivery. Our neonatologists and registered nurses are a one-button call away to provide extra support for babies who need it. This special team also attends all Cesarean section deliveries.
For babies born at other hospitals, our dedicated neonatal transport team specializes in transferring, stabilizing and supporting critically ill newborns during the journey to our hospital. Every year, nearly 300 babies born at other hospitals are brought to our NICU via ambulance or Life Flight helicopter by these transport experts.
Family-Centered Care and Support
We consider parents core members of our NICU care team. We believe that your family’s participation on the team improves your baby’s care.
As a NICU parent, you can be as involved in your baby’s care as you want to be. Every family chooses the level of involvement that’s right for them. We invite you to:
- Attend daily rounds in the NICU
- Participate in the design of your baby’s care plan
- Change diapers and take temperatures
- Participate in parent support activities, including speaking with a parent mentor or attending educational and support meetings
- Provide feedback to help improve the NICU for future patients and families
Getting the support and information you need. Our support team, including chaplains, social workers and interpreters, is here to help you throughout your baby’s hospital stay. Current and former NICU parents are also available to share their experiences and answer questions.
