Ascension Via Christi Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

In the NICU, your child and family have a full team of specialists who are dedicated to your child’s care.

Our care team includes:

• Neonatologists – Children’s Mercy, board-certified neonatologists are pediatricians with extensive, specialized training to care for sick and premature newborns. Your child’s neonatologist is at the center of your care team and coordinates your child’s care with other specialists.
• Neonatal nurse practitioners – Our neonatal nurse practitioners are Masters prepared, board-certified advanced practice nurses. They are highly trained to assess, diagnose, and treat serious and chronic illnesses in newborns. They work closely with you and your child’s neonatologist to create a care plan for your child.
• NICU nurses – Nurses in the NICU have specialized training to care for sick and premature newborns. They provide care for your child at the bedside.
• Respiratory therapists – Respiratory therapists are part of our high-risk delivery team and provide care for newborns who need respiratory support.
• Lactation consultants – Our International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) are available to help you breastfeed or pump while your baby is in the NICU. Our hospital is dedicated to supporting breastfeeding with our Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative certification and High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier recognition. 
• Dietitians –Dietitians monitor and manage your baby’s nutritional needs to help them meet growth goals.
• Pediatric physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists – Pediatric rehabilitation therapists provide personalized therapies for your child while they are in the NICU. We also provide therapy services for infants after they leave the NICU, if needed
• Pediatric pharmacist – Our pediatric pharmacists manage medications for infants.
• Patient care technicians Patient care technicians help your child’s nurses with infant care, monitor visitation and perform many other tasks in the NICU. 
• Social workers Social workers provide support for your family and connect you with resources, as needed.

Ascension Via Christi has a dedicated high-risk delivery team with the expertise to care for infants born premature and who need advanced care. Your baby will be cared for by neonatologists, NICU nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialists, as needed.

With our neonatal transport team, we provide life-saving neonatal care for infants born in hospitals throughout Kansas. The neonatal transport team brings infants to a higher level of care at Ascension Via Christi by ambulance or air, and includes a neonatal nurse practitioner and a respiratory therapist.

Your family’s care team in the NICU is here to support you. Our goal is to get your baby home with your family safely. We provide:

• Supportive care team: Infants born prematurely may need additional support while their bodies continue to develop and grow. Premature infants’ lungs may not be ready to breathe independently. They may also need time to learn how to feed with a coordinated suck, swallow and breath pattern.  
• Multidisciplinary care: Each morning, your child’s entire care team discusses your child’s care plan together and with your family. We encourage you to be present at this time and be as involved as possible in your child’s care.  
• Livestream video: With live-streaming video access, you can monitor your child no matter where you are or what device you’re using
• Going home: Before leaving the hospital, we make sure your child is able to fully breathe on their own, drink by mouth, maintain their body temperature, and grow big enough to safely ride in a car seat.

You can expect compassionate, family-centered care during your baby’s stay. 

• We support your preference for breast milk in the NICU. Breastfeeding and pumping may be done at your child’s bedside. We also have a private lactation room for pumping.
• Your child and family are connected to the right pediatric specialists, including neurologists, cardiologists, urologists, orthopedics specialists, gastroenterologists, ophthalmology, therapists, and more.
• As your baby’s health allows, you will be encouraged to hold your baby and participate in care, such as feeding, diaper changes, and bathing. 
• You are encouraged to bring items from home including clothing, blankets, and books for your baby.
• If you are from out of town, the Ronald McDonald House is located near the hospital to provide lodging.
• We are here to help with your baby’s transition home from the hospital. When your infant is ready to go home, we will provide a room in the hospital for you and your infant to stay overnight, simulating life at home. If questions or concerns arise, your care team is just steps away to provide assistance and reassurance.

 In the NICU at Ascension Via Christi, our doctors have the expertise to diagnose, treat and manage even the most complex conditions, including:

• Birth trauma
• Hyperbilirubinemia
• Hypoglycemia
• Hypoxic ischemic injury
• Low birth weight
• Neonatal withdrawal
• Prematurity
• Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
• Respiratory disorders
• Sepsis or infection

Neonatal specialists and care teams provide advanced care for babies using the latest technology, including ventilators specific for many complex conditions.

• Central IV access placement
• Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
• High frequency jet ventilator
• High frequency oscillator ventilator
• Nasal cannula and vapotherm
• Nitric oxide gas
• Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation
• Phototherapy
• Radiologic services
• Servo ventilators
• Therapeutic hypothermia
• Transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring

At Ascension Via Christi and Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, we can connect you and your family to specialists for your child’s ongoing healthcare needs. Specialists include:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology
• Hematology
• Infectious disease
• Lactation services
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Nutrition
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopedics
• Pediatric pharmacist
• Physical/occupational therapy
• Social work
• Speech therapy
• Urology

Parents are not considered visitors. Parents are encouraged to spend time with their baby, and there are no time constraints on visitation, unless you are ill. Visitors are welcome, at the parents’ discretion. Visiting hours are subject to change based on the hospital’s needs and public health concerns.