Equipment

Because babies being cared for in the NICU need special medical attention, you will see many pieces of equipment around each baby's incubator and throughout the nursery. This may be overwhelming at first, but be assured that the equipment helps us deliver the best possible care for your baby. Your baby's nurse will help you familiarize yourself with all of the equipment.
 

Staff

Nurses, working 12-hour shifts, will help you learn how to care for your baby. Your involvement and presence is very important and as your baby improves, you will find yourself more involved in your baby's care.

During your baby's stay, care is supervised by 14 full-time neonatologists and three nurse practitioners in conjunction with fellows and residents. A Fellow is a qualified paediatrician receiving additional training in neonatology. A resident is a qualified medical doctor training to be a paediatrician.

There are two staff neonatologists in the NICU and one for Level 2 rotating on a regular basis — they are primarily responsible for your baby's care. Not only does this improve the consistency of care, it often increases a family's comfort level because they have time to get to know the doctor. The name of the staff neonatologist for the month is posted in each nursery.

 
Being in the NICU With Your Baby

Parents are welcome in the NICU. In fact, we encourage you to participate as much as possible in your baby's care. Access for parents and visitors may be limited in the following circumstances:

• During shift change — usually between 7:15 and 7:45 a.m., or in the evening. (Your nurse can let you know exactly when.)
• During some medical procedure involving your baby or a nearby baby. Please discuss this with your nurse.
• Visitation hours for parents' visitors may change to ensure the safety of staff and patients in the NICU and Level 2 nurseries.

We have a limited amount of locker space available for valuables; please leave them at home. There are hooks in the hand washing (scrub) room for coats and jackets.

A breast pumping room is located in Room 704. It is a mother-only room, and any mother who has been discharged from hospital may use it. Ask your baby's nurse for the location and entry code, and please inform the nursing staff if you are on any medication.

There is also a parent lounge, Room 703 (next to the pumping room), with a microwave and television for your use. Ask your baby's nurse for the entry code.

Our staff will keep you informed of your baby's daily progress. If you feel a specific meeting with your baby's doctor would be helpful, this can be arranged through the nursing staff.
 

Guidelines for family and friends coming to the NICU

• Parents, siblings over two years of age, and family members and visitors are welcome 24 hours a day seven days a week.
• All visitors, with the exception of siblings, must be over 16 years of age.
• We ask that all siblings and family members and visitors be accompanied by a parent at all times.
• Please limit the total number of people at the bedside to three including one parent.
   

Care by Parent Room

A care by parent room is a room available for parents to stay overnight, to meet special needs, such as to be close to their baby, or have the baby stay in the room with them. There are two rooms available that are located on the 7th floor near the NICU.

Please view the Care by Parent Room information sheet  for more information.

Infection Control

With every visit, parents and visitors are asked to please remove all jewelry, roll up sleeves and wash hands and forearms thoroughly with soap and water. (Your baby's nurse can help you with any questions you may have about hand washing.)

You will be asked about your health and the health of each visitor you bring. Before visiting, please inform the nursing staff if you have a cold, fever, vomiting, diarrhea or any rash.

Please view the Infection Control reference sheet  for more information.