MADISON (WKOW) -- A Madison hospital has a new space to care for its tiniest patients. The new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Mary's Hospital means premature babies will have a better chance at a healthy life, but also parents have some piece of mind because it makes it easier for them to learn how to care for their baby once they go home.
St. Mary's NICU is brand new, with more beds for babies and new technologies to help them get healthy. NICU Director Diane Buss says "There's been a lot of research that environment can affect the outcome of the baby, especially premature infants."
The old NICU was one big room where every baby and every family had to share space. Premature babies require as little stimuli as possible and lights, noise, and chaos around one baby would affect them all.
Now each family has their own room and the quieter environment has already made a big difference. Buss says, "We noticed a change right away, within the first 24 hours. Our nurses said their babies are having less spells, they're taking their feedings better."
Buss wears a special cell phone around her neck to communicate with other nurses. She'll also get alerts when something's wrong with the baby. Sound monitors in every room make sure it's not too loud and special beds shelter babies less than 4 pounds.
Because they now have privacy, parents can learn to care for their little ones on their own. "On the day of admission no matter how tiny the baby is, we teach families to take their temperature and change diapers because it's a huge quantum leap from seeing an extremely sick baby to going home and you're totally responsible for it."
Buss says she thinks they'll start seeing babies go home sooner because they're already eating better and getting more sleep.
Meriter in Madison has also gone from the traditional NICU with just one room to separate rooms.
