Neonatal intensive care unit has eight private suites and new technology.
On October 1, South Florida Baptist Hospital (SFBH) opened a new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This Level II NICU is designed for babies born prematurely between 32 and 34 weeks, or born underweight. It provides advanced care for these children, such as IV treatments and respiratory care. The NICU will be staffed 24/7/365 with neonatologists and advanced practitioners specializing in neonatal care.
SFBH repurposed a portion of the hospital’s fourth-floor Mom and Baby Unit, transforming it into eight private NICU rooms, including one designed for twin care. The project cost $2.4 million. Before the double doors officially opened to patients, team members gathered outside the new area for a ceremony. “May this department be a sanctuary of comfort and care for the tiniest and most vulnerable lives entrusted to us,” SFBH Chaplain Mike Rippy prayed on behalf of the group.
“Given the increase in volume in the numbers of babies being delivered here since the opening of our new hospital last August, we’re understandably seeing an uptick in the number of babies requiring neonatal care as well,” said SFBH Nurse Manager Mayra Garcia. “To be able to handle the majority of those cases in-house is a great service to our community, as it allows families to stay near their babies without needing to be transferred elsewhere for advanced care.”
New technologies will help protect SFBH newborns. The Hugs Infant Protection system makes use of a baby ankle monitor and a location bracelet to ensure a baby is secured at all times, ensuring only authorized caregivers can transport babies outside the NICU. In addition, SFBH’s AngelEye visual monitoring system adds peace of mind and an additional layer of security by setting up family members with livestream video of their babies that can be watched in real time through a phone, tablet, or computer.
“One of the best things about having a Level II NICU in-house is that, in most cases, it allows families to stay together without having to be separated to receive advanced neonatal care,” Garcia said. Since such care can last for days or weeks, the NICU offers families a comfort room equipped with seating, a private bathroom with a shower, and a small kitchen.
The NICU almost immediately took care of a baby. He and his mother spent two days under the supervision of SFBH’s neonatology team before being discharged on October 4 in good health. In recognition of the hospital’s first NICU graduate, the South Florida Baptist Hospital Foundation showered the two with cards and gifts.“We are so excited about this new NICU and the value it brings to the families of Plant City,” said SFBH Foundation Director Jana Butler. “It’s an honor to be part of this special celebration of our first NICU graduate. We look forward to continuing to support the great work being done here each day.”
“We are very excited about the opening of our new NICU,” said South Florida Baptist Hospital President Karen Kerr. “Since the inception of South Florida Baptist Hospital, our Labor and Delivery unit has been a source of pride. To now be able to offer an even higher level of care to Plant City families will be a great service to our community.”
