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Facts About Your NICU

Kaweah Health NICU - Level III

  • 23 bed community NICU, designated by California Children’s Services providing care for infants as early as 24 weeks gestation
  • 8 overflow care beds
  • 23 private developmentally-friendly rooms for advanced care and family bonding, including a parent lounge where caregivers can decompress, shower and eat
  • Neonatologist on site 24/7
  • Advanced monitoring and communications system, cycled lighting with noise precautions to reduce stress and enhance infant biological rhythms
  • Equipped with the latest advancements in respiratory care. The most common need of a newborn in the NICU is respiratory support due to prematurity, pneumonia, transient tachypnea of the newborn and sepsis. Such support includes the following:
    • Oscillators
    • Conventional ventilators
    • CPAP
    • High-flow nasal cannula
    • ROP screening by CCS paneled Pediatric Ophthalmologist Dr. D. Holt
    • Nurse driven central line team (umbilical and PICC lines)
    • Late pre-term infant program specific to Kaweah Health

Kaweah Health’s NICU Interdisciplinary Team

  • All CCS-paneled neonatologists
  • Clinical nurse specialist
  • Dedicated respiratory care practitioners 24/7
  • CCS-paneled medical social workers
  • CCS-paneled clinical registered dietitian
  • CCS-paneled occupational/physical/speech therapist
  • Dedicated developmental care nurse
  • Certified lactation counselors who provide lactation assistance

Kaweah Health NICU by the Numbers

  • 15 average daily census in 2021
  • 705 total admissions in 2021
  • 117 vent days in 2021
  • 689 central line days in 2021
  • 7% newborn antibiotic exposure for all newborns born in 2021