Procedure/Treatment/Home Care Si usted desea esta información en español, por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor. Name of Child: Date: Moving Out of the NICU My baby is graduating from the NICU. What does this mean? #1018 Congratulations! Babies who graduate from the NICU are one step closer to going home. It means they are well enough to move out of intensive care. Now you can do more of your baby s care. Is it safe for my baby to leave the NICU? Yes, the doctors have decided it is safe for your baby to leave the NICU. Your baby does not need all the monitors like a baby in the needs in the NICU, but still needs medical care in the hospital. This move gives you time to learn how to care for your baby at home. Is it safe for my baby to be left alone in the room? Yes. A nurse will visit your child at least once an hour and a patient care technician (PCT) will visit at least once every 2 hours. Please tell us what your baby likes, does not like, and how to keep your baby comfortable. Is the quality of care the same? While the type of care is different, the quality of care is the same. Our nurses and doctors work with babies just like yours everyday. 1 of 5
Will my baby get enough attention? Yes. Your baby will be cared for by you, the nurses, doctors, child life specialists, and volunteers who hold your baby. We make sure your baby gets both the attention and rest he or she needs to grow and develop. When babies move out of the NICU, what are their days like? Our babies are given all the medical care they need. Babies temperature and breathing are measured every 4 hours, more often if needed. Medicine is given when it is needed. Your baby s nurse will probably have at least two other patients along with your baby. Your baby s medicine will be given within an hour of the time it is due. Will my baby have a roommate? If there are single rooms available, the hospital will try to put your baby in one of those rooms. Sometimes the hospital needs to put two patients in the same room. When choosing a roommate, the hospital will look at the baby s age, medical problem, and need for isolation. This is the best way to keep your baby safe. Can the same nurses take care of my baby all the time? Tell the Clinical Supervisor which nurses work best with you and your baby. Their names will go on a list. Most of the time, but not always, the nurse taking care of your baby will be a nurse on this list. These nurses will be called your baby s primary nurses. I can t stay with my baby all the time. How can I find out how my baby is doing? You don t need to stay with your baby all the time. You need to take care of yourself, too. You may call and ask to speak to your baby s nurse, any time of the night or day. If you have more questions or concerns, ask your baby s nurse or doctor. 2016 Phoenix Children s Hospital 2 of 5
Now that you ve read this: r Tell your nurse or doctor what you need to do, now that your baby is moving out of the NICU. (Check when done.) If you have any questions or concerns, r call your child s doctor or r call If you want to know more about child health and illness, visit our library at The Emily Center at Phoenix Children s Hospital 1919 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85016 602-933-1400 866-933-6459 www.phoenixchildrens.org Facebook: facebook.com/theemilycenter Twitter: @emilycenter Pinterest: pinterest.com/emilycenter Disclaimer The information provided at this site is intended to be general information, and is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of examination, treatment, or consultation with a physician. Phoenix Children s Hospital urges you to contact your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition. July 25, 2016 Draft to family review #1018 Written by Jessica Arvizu. RN 3 of 5
Moving Out of the NICU Name of Health Care Provider: Date returned: r db Family Review of Handout Si usted desea esta información en español, por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor. #1018 Health care providers: Please teach families with this handout. Families: Please let us know what you think of this handout. Would you say this handout is hard to read? r Yes r No easy to read? r Yes r No Please circle the parts of the handout that were hard to understand. Would you say this handout is interesting to read? r Yes r No Why or why not? Would you do anything differently after reading this handout? r Yes r No After reading this handout, do you have any questions about the subject? r Yes r No 2016 Phoenix Children s Hospital 4 of 5
Is there anything you don t like about the drawings? r Yes r No What changes would you make in this handout to make it better or easier to understand? Please return your review of this handout to your nurse or doctor or send it to the address below. The Emily Center 602-933-1395 Health Education Specialist Phoenix Children s Hospital 1919 East Thomas Road Phoenix, AZ 85016-7710 Thank you for helping us! 5 of 5