Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The Fetal Treatment Program of New England cares for a large number of infants with complex medical problems requiring surgery or subspecialty interventions in the newborn period. We provide a complete complement of services in all subspecialties—including an innovative, interdisciplinary fetal medicine program—and have the capability to care for the whole range of metabolic and other disorders that affect newborns.
Our program enjoys use of the nation’s largest neonatal intensive care units (NICU), with private rooms for each family, located right at Women & Infants—a 2011 US News and World Report Best Children's Hospital in neonatology. The NICU is equipped with the latest technology and our highly skilled specialists are available 24-hours a day to care for babies who are born prematurely or with an illness.
Our NICU Is a Special Place
Our Team
The NICU provides comprehensive care through the coordinated efforts of attending neonatologists and pediatricians, neonatal nurses, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal-perinatal fellows, social workers, occupational therapists, nutritionists and respiratory therapists. Families can also rely on support from the unit's parent advocates, sponsored by the Rhode Island Parent Information Network and by the March of Dimes.
Our Environment
The NICU’s private rooms encourage families to be actively involved in their baby’s care. Designed for quiet and comfort, each room has a couch that converts to a bed so parents can spend the night with their baby. A two-story unit, the NICU has plenty of space dedicated to families, so that parents can rest, eat or make phone calls. A beautiful family lounge stretches from the first floor to the second, featuring a full kitchen, showers for parents, computers, a play area for older siblings and a mesmerizing salt water fish tank.
Newborn Nursery Service
Our team of pediatricians, pediatric and family practice residents, and medical students from Alpert Medical School works in concert with the mother-baby nurses, lactation consultants, and other subspecialty consultants to meet the specific needs of each family and to ensure continuity of care.
The service expanded to include community physicians with specialized interest in the care of newborns so it can provide pediatric attending physicians seven days a week. This caring environment is enhanced by the involvement of our dedicated community and voluntary medical staff who partner with us to provide individualized care to our families.