Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
While many newborns are at home with their parents in a day or so, some babies need a higher level of care. Tennova Healthcare - Clarksville is proud to offer a Level II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), which provides specialized care for newborns with a wide variety of health conditions such as prematurity, respiratory problems and infections. Caring for these babies in a Level II NICU requires many clinical specialties. The team includes:
- Board-certified neonatologists*
- Board-certified neonatal nurse practitioners*
- Neonatal registered nurses certified by the American Heart Association's Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
- Respiratory therapists
- International board-certified lactation consultants
- Speech therapists
- Registered dietitians
- Social workers to assist families with discharge planning and community services as needed
Parenting in the NICU
Parents are not considered visitors in our NICU, and are encouraged to visit their baby often. We encourage frequent visitation with parents to aid in the bonding process.
Family Safety
For the safety and wellbeing of your baby, visitors may be required to show identification at any time. Valid identification includes parent/baby bracelets and/or any picture identification.
Family Privacy
To provide privacy to all babies and families in the unit, we ask that you and your visitors remain at your own baby's bedside. You may only take photos or video of your own baby.
Obtaining Information About Your Baby
Do not hesitate to ask your baby's doctor, nurse practitioner or nurse any questions you may have about your baby's condition. The NICU staff is instructed to give specific information to parents. Please inform other friends and relatives that they will not be given information over the phone about your baby's condition.
Screening for Infection
Approved visitors to the NICU must be free of illness (respiratory symptoms, cough, rash, diarrhea, sore throat, vomiting).
Hand Hygiene in the NICU
Because babies in the NICU are more susceptible to hospital-acquired infection, it is important to clean (disinfect) your hands prior to touching your baby. If you touch equipment in the NICU or change the baby's diaper, you should disinfect your hands again before touching the baby. The staff will provide instruction on the most effective hand sanitation techniques.
*Neonatology physicians and neonatal nurse practitioners are provided by Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.