NICU

At Trinity Health, our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) gives parents peace of mind for emergency situations. It provides the critical care necessary for babies that are born premature or in need of specialized treatment and care after birth. Our staff is committed to providing the best possible care for your baby. Parents are considered part of the health care team from transport, to admission, to discharge and are welcomed 24/7 in the unit.

Visitor Guidelines

Parents can fill out a “Parent’s Preferred Visiting” form that indicates who can visit your baby and under what circumstances you want them to do so. You may change your plan at any time by filling out a new "Preferred Visiting form".

• Parenting Time: The NICU staff encourages parents to be active participants in caring for their babies as much as possible. Parents are welcome in the NICU at all times of the day and night. 
• Sibling Time: Brothers and sisters are an important part of your baby’s family and are welcome in the NICU. All children should be closely supervised while in the NICU and should not be left unattended at any time. The sibling should not be placed in the same crib as the hospitalized baby due to potential exposure to infectious disease in the community or household. 
• Extended Family and Friends: Visitors other than siblings must be 12 years of age or older and free of infection. We need to limit visitors to 2 people at a baby’s bedside for the safety of all of the babies. Children, who are over the age of 12 and not siblings of the baby, may visit the baby(s) as long as the parent or guardian of the hospitalized infant accompanies them. All children who visit the NICU must stop at the Clerk’s desk to complete the health screening questions. You will need to complete this form daily for each child who comes to visit.

Health Screening

Babies in the NICU are at risk for exposure to infections and need to be protected from them. For this reason, we ask that you pay close attention to your own health as parents, the health of your other children, and the health of any other visitors allowed into the NICU. Infectious diseases brought in from the community to the NICU can be devastating to the fragile infants we care for.

Hand Washing

The best way to protect your baby from infection is to wash your hands with soap and water for 40-60 seconds. Everyone who comes in contact with your baby needs to wash their hands. It is also important to use waterless hand sanitizer for 20-30 seconds after you touch any personal items, such as a purse or wallet.

Video Cameras

These are permitted at the bedside at the nurse’s discretion. Please talk with your baby’s nurse about their appropriate use in the NICU.

Taking Your Baby Home

As your baby gets ready to go home, we will help you feel comfortable with your baby's daily care. When your baby goes home from the hospital, the health care team will inform you of any follow-up appointments that will be necessary for your baby.

For additional support at home after your baby has been discharged, your family may qualify for a skilled nurse or public health nurse. This is often covered by your insurance. The social worker or the case nurse can provide you with information regarding these services.

Neonatal Transport Services

Our Neonatal Transport Service provides ground transportation for critically ill and premature newborns that need the specialized services only NICU can provide.

A registered nurse, respiratory therapist, neonatal nurse practitioner or neonatologist comprise our transport team. The team communicates with the referring hospital regarding stabilization of the baby prior to transport and a special mobile intensive transport unit is equipped to facilitate a safe and quick transfer to the NICU. Neonatal transport is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides transport services to the surrounding community.

Developmental Clinic

The Developmental Assessment Clinic at Trinity Health Ann Arbor evaluates babies who were either born very prematurely or who were critically ill in the newborn period. The overall goal of the Developmental Assessment Clinic is to help your child reach his/her full physical and developmental potential.

Appointments are scheduled by the clinic staff at 4 months, 8 months, 1 year and 2 years. The appointment dates are scheduled at your baby’s corrected gestational age based on your due date.