Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Exceptional care for Hoag’s smallest patients

All expectant parents hope that their babies will be healthy. Yet sometimes problems arise that result in a newborn requiring highly specialized care. When this happens, infants benefit greatly from having immediate access to an advanced neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Experienced staff, advanced technology

As part of our comprehensive maternal child care services, Hoag Hospital provides an experienced NICU with advanced, around-the-clock care for infants born prematurely, or with complications.

Hoag’s state-of-the-art NICU features individualized quality care, with advanced technical equipment and architecturally built to minimize noise, thereby promoting an optimal healing environment for infants. The calm, quiet setting of Hoag’s NICU is also conducive to families sharing intimate bonding time with their little ones. The comfort and well-being of NICU parents is also an important focus, which is why Hoag provides a spacious parent’s lounge with a kitchenette and computer access for education and research, as well as comfortable accommodations for overnight stays.

Utilizing best practices for delivery of care, Hoag’s expert neonatal team consists of board-certified neonatologists and Magnet-designated neonatal nurses experienced in delivering the highest level of compassionate care to critically ill newborns and infants. A neonatologist is available on the unit at all times, and the ratio of neonatal nurses-to-patients is exceptionally low to assure excellent care. As a multidisciplinary unit, Hoag’s NICU also utilizes the expertise of occupational therapists, social services case managers, respiratory therapists and pharmacists.

In partnership with CHOC

Through a collaborative partnership between Hoag Hospital and CHOC Children’s, our community now has better access to specialized pediatric care when they need it most. The partnership includes a designated transport team for immediate transfer to CHOC, should neonatal surgery or more intensive care be required, and support from CHOC neonatologists in Hoag’s NICU.

Hoag Hospital also houses a CHOC Children’s Specialty Outpatient Clinic at Hoag Health Center- Newport Beach to address the special needs of our pediatric patients within the community, including an after hours pediatric urgent care called UrgiKids.

Family-centered care

Having a baby who requires special medical attention can be very stressful for parents. However, the physicians, nurses, and other caregivers in the NICU will do their best to provide emotional support for you, while caring for your infant’s medical needs.

Hoag’s NICU team understands the importance of partnering with families to ensure seamless care for their baby. As a family-centered care unit, the NICU team is dedicated to developing the role of the parent and collaborates with families in the journey towards recovery. Hoag’s neonatal team is committed to supporting the needs of infants and their families, and sending babies home that are well and part of a dynamic family unit.

In its commitment to being a family-centered organization, Hoag Hospital is certified as a Baby Friendly facility, recognized by the World Health Organization and UNICEF as providing an optimal level of care to breastfeeding mothers and infants.

Family education and support

An important element of Hoag’s family centered care model is education and support for the family. From the time of arrival in the NICU, to the day of discharge, the neonatal team provides step-by-step education on the treatment plan of the infant. Parents also receive educational materials on what to expect while in the NICU, and the transition home.

Developmental care

There is a striking difference between a mother’s womb and a Neonatal Intensive Care environment. Hoag’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit recognizes this and utilizes strategies such as Developmental Care to create a womblike environment that minimizes the stress experienced by preterm or critically ill infants.

Hoag NICU has modified the extrauterine environment for infants and families through features such as decreasing light and noise levels, providing longer rest periods, proper positioning and providing therapeutic touch and comfort. Through Developmental Care, babies are seen by an expert occupational therapist, with continued follow-up to two years old, if needed.

For more information on Hoag’s comprehensive Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, please call 949/764-5818.