NICU

Memorial Health’s NICU has earned the designation of a Level IV neonatal intensive care unit by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. This means our dynamic multidisciplinary team is able to provide the highest level of care for premature and critically ill newborns.

Memorial Health is the first Regional Perinatal Center/Birthing Hospital to be designated as an AAP-accredited Level IV Neonatal Center in the state of Georgia.

This Level IV designation comes after a thorough and rigorous survey of our NICU by the AAP. A Level IV NICU is the highest level of neonatal intensive care, providing the most comprehensive care for premature and critically ill newborns. They are equipped to care for infants with complex medical problems and those who need advanced surgical repair.

A Level IV NICU has 24/7 availability of pediatric medical and surgical specialists, including those who perform surgery. The NICU has the capability to complete advanced imaging like MRI and echocardiography. Babies are able to be resuscitated as early as 22 weeks gestation through post term. The NICU has the resources to provide high frequency ventilation, total body cooling and will soon be starting dialysis to their wide range of abilities.

Our NICU is located on the second floor of the hospital, along with our labor and delivery unit. This allows us to keep families together and help you bond with your newborn.

We carefully manage this environment to enhance infant health, with soft lighting and minimal noise to promote rest and healing. If you choose to breastfeed, you have access to breast pumps, as well as lactation consultants.

If your infant is almost ready to be discharged, we provide a transitional room. This room helps you get used to spending time with your newborn outside of the NICU.

NICU live streaming

We know it is not always possible for you to remain by your newborn's side throughout their hospital stay. To help give you and your family peace of mind, our NICU is now equipped with bedside cameras to share a live stream of your baby while in the NICU. You can access a secure, private system that can be viewed on any smartphone, tablet or computer.

In addition to physicians, providers and nurses, our NICU is staffed by multiple healthcare professionals, including:

• Child life specialists
• Lactation consultants
• Neonatal support staff
• Pharmacists
• Rehabilitation therapists
• Respiratory therapists
• Social workers

Transport crew

We receive hundreds of neonatal transports each year. If your baby is born at another hospital and requires specialized care, our neonatal transport team rapidly moves them to our facility. This team consists of specialized neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists who provide care for your newborn during transport.