NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU)
New born babies who need intensive medical attention are often admitted into a special area of the hospital called the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The NICU combines advanced technology and trained health care professionals to provide specialized care for the sick babies. NICUs may also have intermediate care areas for babies who are not as sick but do need specialized nursing care. Most babies admitted to the NICU are premature (born before 37 weeks of pregnancy), have low birth weight (Less than 2.5Kgs), or have a medical condition that requires special care such as heart problems, infections, or birth defects. If the situation arises critically ill new borns receive specialized care from our neonatologist in one family – Centered, technologically advanced NICU. Our program strives to serve the needs of the entire family and to deliver hope and compassionate care- both before and after they leave the hospital. A special focus on providing parent education, emotional support and critical resources helps families develop the confidence to care for their baby at home.

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit The NICU at Badr-Al Sama hospital is a 6 bedded “State of the art” facility, providing high level tertiary care to sick neonates. It is fully air conditioned with proper temperature maintenance where strict asepsis is practiced. Every delivery in the hospital is attended by a doctor trained in Neonatal Resuscitation at birth. Trained nurses and pediatricians are available round the clock to provide the best possible care at the NICU. A close association with the obstetric services has brought about recognitions of our center as a “Perinatal Refereal Unit.” Many High Risk and precious pregnancies for safe monitoring and delivery are now being referred to us. All invasive and non-invasive modalities of monitoring are available. E.g., ECG, NIBP special Neonatal care ventilators. Round the cluck “New born transport” with dedicated transport ventilator/ incubator and experienced transport team.
Diagnosis or Conditions treated Pre maturity Low birth weight Sick, full-term newborns. Premature and term infant with respiratory distress/failure Hyper bilirubinemia. Infections diseases – sepsis, meningitis etc. Perinatal asphyxia. Pulmonary hyper tension. Shock.
Equipment The NICU is one of the best-equipped units in the country. In addition to state – of – the art warmers, invasive and noninvasive monitors and pulse oximeters, there are modern ventilators and oxygen delivery devices. This ensures safe and effective ventilator of very tiny preterm infants. The laboratories in the hospital offer the latest all investigations.
Infection Control Control of hospital acquired infection is crucial for good outcome in neonatology. The unit is reputed for stringent infection control protocols and very low rate of nosocomial sepsis. This is possible because of ongoing surveillance in consultation with experts in infections diseases and microbiology. This has significantly improved the survival of premature infants with extremely low birth weight.
Personalized care Admission in NICU is a scary experience for new parents. The sight of sick, tiny babies with wires and tubes all over and the constant beep of monitors can cause night mares. We do everything possible to make the families as comfortable as possible. The condition of the baby is explained to the parents by consultants, duty doctors and nurses in detail, several times a day. Parents and families are closely involved in decisions about the management. The doctors and nurses are also trained to counsel families to deal with the stress.
RUWI BRANCH Dr. Parthasarathy