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Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UPMC Magee-Womens in Central Pa.

UPMC Magee-Womens understands that having a baby in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be stressful for families. UPMC Harrisburg and UPMC Lititz are designated as Level III NICU, which means that our specialists provide high quality care for critically ill babies and babies born early.

Bringing a baby into the world is one of the happiest moments for a family but sometimes the baby needs extra care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). UPMC Memorial and UPMC Carlisle provides specialty care in their Level II NICU.

If your baby is born prematurely or has health problems at birth, you can count on our UPMC Magee-Womens NICU staff to provide the best care for your baby. We will also provide you with the support and information you need to care for your baby after discharge.

We deliver round-the-clock treatment for a number of conditions, including:

  • Breathing problems
  • Premature birth
  • Conditions affecting the brain
  • Heart conditions
  • Stomach and digestive disorders
  • Eye problems
  • Jaundice
  • Anemia
  • Infections
  • Feeding difficulties
  • Failure to thrive
  • Post-surgical care

NICU Staff

We have the latest, most advanced technology and equipment specially designed for babies. Our UPMC Magee-Womens neonatal physicians are available 24/7 and are backed by a full range of pediatric subspecialists including cardiologists, surgeons, gastroenterologists, and other pediatric specialists at the UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  The NICU staff focuses on delivering a high level of clinical expertise in a family centered and developmentally sensitive atmosphere. 

Our NICU staff includes:

  • Board-certified neonatologists
  • Neonatal nurse practitioners
  • Experienced, qualified registered nurses
  • Respiratory therapists
  • Pharmacists
  • Dietitians
  • Lactation Consultants
  • Social Workers
  • Specially trained volunteers who will rock and hold your baby when you are unavailable

UPMC Magee-Womens in Central Pa. collaborates with Pediatrix Medical Group, the largest group of neonatal experts in the United States. Because of this partnership, our neonatal physicians can conduct online consultations and participate in patient management discussions with other neonatal experts across the county.

Visiting the NICU

You are a parent, not a visitor. You are welcome in the NICU 24hrs/day. You are one of the most important members of our care team and the most consistent care provider for your baby.

There are special considerations and guidelines for visitors in the NICU:

  • Parents are able to visit 24 hrs/day.
  • Visiting hours for all others are 9:00 a.m.to 9:00 p.m.
  • Only four people are allowed in each patient room at one time, this does not include siblings.
  • All siblings of the infant are welcome to visit together (with their parents) during visiting hours. Parents are responsible for their behavior.
  • Visitors must always be accompanied by a parent.
  • Visitors must be 16 or older.

NOTE: Visitors who have been exposed to any infectious disease or have flu or cold symptoms should NOT visit. Our tiny patients are very fragile, and a common cold can cause major illness including death.

Technology and Equipment

At UPMC Harrisburg's NICU we pride ourselves in using the latest, most up-to-date equipment and technology to care for your baby.

Some of the technologies and equipment used in our NICU include:

  • Giraffe® Carestation® is a specialized bed that provides a neurodevelopmentally supportive, family-centered critical care environment for newborns.
  • NAVA (Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist) allows the electrical activity of your baby's diaphragm to control his breathing.
  • High-Frequency Jet Ventilation is very gentle to extremely premature infant's tiny airways.
  • High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation can be used to protect the lungs in some severe lung conditions
  • CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) provides non-invasive breathing assistance
  • EEG (electrophysiological) monitoring provides a continuous or snapshot record of the brain's electrical activity.
  • Therapeutic hypothermia may reduce brain injury in the infant who experienced oxygen deprivation at birth.
  • Phototherapy provides treatment for elevated bilirubin, causing jaundice.
  • Monitors, your baby's heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels will be continuously monitored while he is in the NICU.

Have you and your baby received excellent care? Learn how to show your thanks through our Grateful Patient Program

We encourage patients, families, and staff to nominate a special nurse who provides direct patient care at the bedside and exemplifies integrity, commitment, advocacy, respect and excellence for The DAISY Award.

Heading Home

To help ease your anxiety about returning home with your baby, we encourage “rooming-in,” a practice where you and your baby spend time together before he or she goes home. We also allow you to fully participate in the care of your baby while he or she is in the NICU so you can bond and become familiar with your baby’s routines.

We have a dedicated "Discharge Specialist" and a social worker to help you prepare for discharge. These specialized, caring staff members will provide all the resources, support and information you need to confidently bring your baby home.

Neurodevelopment Follow-Up Clinic

Babies requiring care in the NICU often need follow-up care to ensure that they are growing and developing properly. Our Neurodevelopment Follow-Up Clinic provides intensive, customized follow-up care and treatment to help your baby continue on a healthy path after leaving the NICU.

The following highly trained specialists will treat and care for your baby:

  • A nutritionist
  • A physical therapist
  • An infant development intervention specialist
  • A developmental pediatrician

Our specialists will work with you to create an ongoing, individualized care plan for your baby that addresses his or her specific developmental needs. 

NICU Parent Education Support Group

The NICU Parent Education Support group at UPMC Magee-Womens in Central Pa. is an inpatient hospital support group geared to support families during their NICU journey. The NICU Parent Education Support Group welcomes specialized guest speakers to educate families on various NICU related topics while also encouraging supportive relationships between current NICU parents/support persons. Guest speakers include: Neonatologists, Dieticians, Physical/ Occupational/ Speech Therapist, Lactation, etc. The NICU Parent Education Support group is held weekly in the NICU and is open to all NICU support persons. Watch for fliers in the unit for details. Please join us during this informal opportunity to meet your infants care professionals as well as other families.

Need more information?

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Locations

UPMC Carlisle
361 Alexander Spring Rd.
Carlisle, PA 17015

UPMC Harrisburg
111 South Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Phone: 717-782-5223

UPMC Lititz
UPMC Magee-Women's Entrance
1500 Highlands Drive
Lititz, PA 17543

Maternity Pre-Registration: 717-625-5420
Labor and Delivery: 717-625-5428

UPMC Memorial
1701 Innovation Drive
York, PA 17408

Phone: 717-850-4040

Thank A Nurse

Want to say thank you to your nurse? The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day.

Nominate a deserving nurse.

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