Neonatal Intensive Care

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the New Generations Family Birthing Center at Harris Regional Hospital is the region's only intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants. Our NICU is staffed by an expert neonatologist, nurses, and medical professionals who are trained in life-saving care of newborns. 

Our compassionate staff goes above and beyond to ensure that you and your child are comfortable. Your newborn may be placed in an incubator, to create conditions that mimic a mother's womb. This ensures an optimal growth environment for a prematurely born child. The incubator balances just the right amount of heat, humidity, and in some cases, oxygen, depending on your newborn's needs.

We're here for you and your newborn to provide the very best possible care at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Parent's Guide

Nurses in the NICU will spend the most hands-on time with your baby. The New Generations Family Birthing Center NICU medical staff and caregivers have been trained extensively in working with premature babies and operating equipment that aids in the healthy development of your child. Our staff includes:

Board-Certified Neonatologist
Certified Neonatal Nurses
Comprehensive Family Education & Support
Special Diagnostic Equipment & Advanced Technology
Rooming In
Kangaroo Care
Developmental Interventions

Conditions Treated

Prematurity
Respiratory Distress
Shock
Infants with HIV/AIDS
Fetal Distress
Trauma
Low Birth Weight Infants
Metabolic/Chromosomal Disorders

Advanced Care

We know having a newborn in the NICU presents a range of emotions and anxiety for our new parents. At Harris Regional Hospital, we are committed to providing a supportive, healing and compassionate environment to help our infant patients and their families achieve the best possible outcomes. Our services include:

Giraffe Beds: These state-of-the-art beds can serve multiple functions, including radiant warmer, incubator or open bed/crib.
High Flow Nasal Cannula: Allows non-invasive treatment of respiratory distress in infants by providing humidified flow and oxygen thereby decreasing the duration and/or need for mechanical ventilation.
Neonatal Nasal CPAP: Respiratory support delivered through nasal prongs of small mask. Different modes of ventilatory support are provided to best care for our NICU patients. A knowledgeable group of Respiratory Therapists provide coverage to the NICU for these patients with respiratory distress syndrome and/or apnea of prematurity.
Digital Imaging: Baby’s X-ray can be viewed using our imaging equipment allowing treatment and follow-up as needed.
NICU On-site Blood Gas Monitoring: Providing NICU staff immediate results to better treat our patients.
Transfer Capabilities: The NICU at Harris Regional Hospital is happy to serve infants that were delivered at other facilities that need additional NICU support. Your care coordination team can help you determine your babies needs and if transport to Harris is an option for care, closer to home.
Skin-to-Skin: Your NICU team understands the importance of skin-to-skin contact with your baby as it has profound effects on bonding, closeness and overall wellbeing for parents and infants. Recliners and comfort resources are available to encourage skin-to-skin and breastfeeding. Breastfeeding support is available 24/7.