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Naval Medical Center San Diego Opens New Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090818-07
Release Date: 8/18/2009 4:40:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anastasia Fitzgerald, Naval Medical Center San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Naval Medical Center San Diego (NMCSD) hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new renovations and expansion of the NICU Aug. 14.

The ceremony marked the first significant renovation of the NICU since it opened in 1988.

The first phase of the $7.84 million project was completed in 18 months. The renovation increased space, while updating technology.

The new NICU also created more of a "family-centered environment," said Deborah Norton, the department head of pediatric nursing at NMCSD.

"When someone is ill, it's not just the person you take care of, it's the entire family. In an environment like this, we can make sure that we pay attention not only to the baby's needs but the family's needs as well.

"This is in perfect alignment of our mission in providing excellent family care," said NMCSD Commander Rear Adm. Christine M. Bruzek-Kohler.

The previous NICU was an open bay that made noise control challenging, and baby separation was limited due to the smaller space. In the new NICU, a pod room design was incorporated to accommodate four babies per pod, which improved privacy and increased space.

Furthermore, special ceiling tiles and laminate floor were installed to absorb sound for noise reduction; a central monitoring system at the nurse's station allows the staff to easily distinguish which baby needs attention, and visiting hours have been increased to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, breast feeding rooms and quiet rooms for families to talk with medical providers were added to the renovation.

"The renovation is really about the babies and the families. It's about giving them the space that enables us to improve the safe quality care we provide and, at the same time, preserve patient privacy and eliminate all the disruptive elements that are detrimental to infant development," said Capt. Douglas Carbine, NICU division head.

Previously staffed and supplied as two separate areas, the new NICU now allows for social workers, pharmacists, physicians, nurses and hospital corpsman to work in a centralized area. Families can have their questions answered without leaving the ward.

"Its one-stop shopping; everything we need for the NICU is right here," said Norton.

The next phase of the project is expected to be completed six to nine months after patients and staff members move into the new NICU late August. The old space will be renovated into a waiting room, staff offices, locker rooms, lounge, call room, the fetal assessment unit and two rooming-in-rooms where mothers of NICU patients will be able to spend time with their newborn.