NICU
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides critical care to newborns who are ill or premature. Many factors may lead to a newborn being admitted to the NICU, including low birth weight or complications during delivery. The NICU staff works closely with parents to develop a treatment plan for their newborn.
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Las Vegas
Giving birth can be a joyous event, but sometimes your baby needs more support.
Neonatologists and nurses offer gentle care for ill and premature infants in our 15-bed NICU at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center. We are dedicated to your baby's well-being and work tirelessly to keep you involved and informed.
Conditions treated in our NICU
Your infant and family deserve expert care and an environment that helps you create tender moments together. We care for babies with a wide range of needs, including:
- Delivery complications
- Illnesses
- Low birthweight
- Respiratory problems
Intensive care for newborns
During your newborn's stay in our Level III NICU, they receive 24/7 monitoring from neonatologists specially trained in caring for sick and premature infants.
NICU features and services
Our goal is to create a nurturing atmosphere for welcoming your baby. Even if they are born elsewhere, our neonatal transport team can bring them to our hospital. If your pregnancy is considered high-risk, or you have complications, we are equipped to support you with advanced maternity care.
Our expansive facility measures 7,062 square feet and is designed to accommodate the new generation of family needs. Our suites allow rooming-in, meaning your baby can stay with you 24/7. We provide a family-focused environment for bonding, feeding and care, which includes:
- 24-hour coverage by board-certified neonatologists, respiratory therapists, anesthesiologists and laborists
- 15 incubators and warming beds
- Dedicated case managers for NICU families
- Highly-secured unit for safety
- Lactation specialist support
- NICU postpartum support
- Nursing rooms
- Secure web access to view your baby in the NICU from a remote location
- Transition room as you prepare to take home your baby
Family services
Our team recognizes your need to be involved in your newborn's care. You are given 24-hour access to the NICU to feel connected with your child during the early days of life while actively participating in their care plan. Whenever possible, we will help you engage in the simple routines of being a parent — feeding your baby, changing diapers and having skin-to-skin contact. Even for the most fragile babies, nothing replaces your touch and presence.
While your infant is in our care, you also have access to:
- Consultations and treatment from occupational therapists
- Dieticians specializing in neonatal nutrition
- Infant CPR education
- Long-term nutritional support
- Prenatal education services provided by our women's services department
- Visits from our lactation consultant
Thanks to our mission, "Care Like Family," we encourage you to share your thoughts, concerns and ideas with our team as openly and often as possible.
We encourage your involvement, including:
- Asking questions about your baby’s condition or medical care
- Asking to meet with any provider involved with your child’s care if you have questions or need more information
- Asking to see test results and scans if you are interested or have concerns
- Making suggestions about how we can help your baby be more comfortable
- Telling us if you don’t understand (or agree with) any aspect of the care plan
Understanding NICU levels
Your baby may need the specialized care provided in our NICU for many reasons.
Three levels of intensive care for newborns
All neonatal intensive care units care for babies who need special help, but different NICUs offer different levels of care:
- Level 1: Basic care — Level I NICUs provide care for healthy, full-term babies. They also stabilize near-term babies to prepare them for moving to specialized facilities.
- Level 2: Advanced care — Level II NICUs offer care for babies born at or after 32 weeks and babies who are recovering from more serious health problems.
- Level 3: Specialized care — Level III NICUs care for very sick babies and offer access to a wide range of pediatric specialists and equipment. The babies in these nurseries are generally born earlier than 32 weeks or have critical illnesses.
Virtual NICU tour
Visit our hospital's newly renovated NICU to see the many features and advanced technology available, should your baby need care.