Expecting parents, have you heard the news? LewisGale Medical Center, located in Salem, Virginia, opened a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in November, 2023. This new level of care ensures that delivering families and their youngest family members are able to receive the care they need in Southwest Virginia.
What is a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)?
A Level II NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), also called a special care nursery, is a specialized unit within a hospital that provides care for newborn babies with certain medical conditions or who are born prematurely. Level II NICUs are designed to provide intermediate medical care for newborns who require more medical attention than what is available in a regular nursery. These units typically have specialized equipment and healthcare professionals trained in neonatal care to monitor and treat newborns with a range of medical conditions.
Why is it Important that LewisGale Medical Center has opened a NICU?
It's significant and important that LewisGale Medical Center is now offering NICU care, so that newborn babies with certain medical conditions, or who are born prematurely, are able to stay with their mothers after delivery instead of being moved to a different hospital for NICU services.
The Lewis Gale Medical Center's NICU, encompassing 3,000 square feet, features six bassinets with the space to expand as needed. The NICU treats medically-fragile, premature infants and full-term newborns with infections, breathing difficulties, growth restrictions, and maternal health concerns. They will be treated on-site by board-certified neonatologists 24/7.
Learn more about Lewis Gale's NICU services:
LewisGale Hospital Labor and Delivery unit offers many amenities for expecting parents. Including:
- Spa like birthing rooms with hydrotherapy options.
- Postpartum care, including postpartum depression screening.
- Sleep accommodations and meals for your birthing partner.
- Midwifery team care, lactation services, gynecological and well-woman exams.
- High-risk pregnancy care —If you are at risk for complications during pregnancy, labor or delivery, such as if you have asthma, diabetes, preeclampsia or a history of cancer, our maternal-fetal medicine doctors help you and your baby stay safe and healthy.
- Advanced security features to ensure the safety of you and your baby — including footprint technology.
How do I learn more?
- Call Consult - A - Nurse: 833-521-3627
- Visit the Labor and Delivery site: LewisGale Labor and Delivery
