Care for Critically Ill and Premature Babies
GW Hospital offers a Level III B Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for our tiniest patients. Parents can rest assured that their babies receive around-the-clock care from a multidisciplinary team of specialists. The NICU is equipped with advanced technology to help little miracles grow stronger.
The NICU provides comprehensive, high-quality and family-centered care for critically ill or premature infants. We reserve this unit for infants with a low birth weight, those who have difficulty breathing or those who experience other complications. This specialized emergency care is available 24/7, should your baby need it.
The dedicated NICU team includes neonatologists, residents, respiratory therapists and neonatal nurses. Nutritionists, a social worker, a physical therapist, a speech pathologist and a lactation consultant also work closely with the medical team to provide optimal care for your baby.
Advanced Neonatal Care
Our Level III B NICU provides the following advanced services:
- Administration of IV fluids
- Continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring
- Developmentally supportive environment, including a Quiet Policy
- Mechanical ventilation, including high frequency oscillation
- Nitric oxide inhalation therapy
- Noninvasive nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
- Parental visitation for family bonding
- Private breast-pumping room
- Whole baby cooling
Why It's Important to Deliver Your Baby at a Hospital With a NICU
If your newborn needs advanced care, having a NICU in the hospital provides several advantages:
- Advanced care is readily available, whereby hospitals without a NICU may need to transfer your baby to another facility.
- Your baby will receive care from specially trained neonatal physicians and nurses that hospitals without a NICU oftentimes do not have.
- At a Level III B NICU, there are highly skilled neonatal specialists who have immediate access to advanced technology. They can begin specialized care immediately.
- A NICU enables new mothers to stay close to their babies. This fosters critical bonding that is so important.
NicView™ – View Your Infant in Real-Time
GW Hospital is proud to be the first hospital in the District of Columbia to offer NicView™ — a small camera system placed at designated bed spaces in the NICU. NicView allows parents, family and friends to view their infant in real-time, 24/7, through a secure on-line portal. It is here to help add comfort and support as you bond with your baby even when you cannot be in the NICU with them.
Family members can securely access NicView from anywhere there is an internet connection via a laptop, smartphone or tablet. The service is compatible with any internet capable device and most popular browsers. No other users will have access to your baby’s images unless you have provided them the log-in credentials.
We recognize that having a baby in the NICU can be a difficult time where you miss your baby and may have some anxiety. We are pleased to offer innovative technology to support you in this time. Parents who are not interested in NicView can decline this service.