About the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Exceptional Care for Critically Ill and Premature Infants
Our specialty nurses and doctors are dedicated to providing your infant with the highest quality care available. Rest assured that our team is passionate about your child's health.
With outcomes and survival rates among the best in the country, the NICU’s highly trained staff cares for infants born up to 23 weeks early to 28 days old and older. We care for all critically ill and premature infants requiring NICU level of care.
All care is based on the best and most recent knowledge on how to care for fragile newborns.
What Is the NICU?
The NICU cares for critically ill and premature infants. Neonatal refers to the first 28 days of a newborn’s life – when babies are most in need of special care and attention.
Newborns in the NICU might be premature (as early as 23 weeks), multiples or very ill. The NICU has specially trained staff, equipment and services to treat and care for our smallest patients.
If your child has been placed in the NICU, it’s to give them the very best, round-the-clock care during their first few days or weeks of life.
Family-Integrated Care
Leaving the hospital without your new baby in your arms is one of the hardest things a parent can face. It can be hard to adapt to life with your growing family when your newborn spends their first days or weeks in the NICU. That’s why at Randall Children’s Hospital, we’ve created a Family-Integrated Care environment that encourages families to be responsible for their infant’s care as early and as often as possible.
How do we put families first?
Two “transition” rooms to evaluate a newborn’s health and stability right after delivery. Some babies need a little extra nurturing but may not need to be admitted to the NICU. Our transition rooms support their care and assessment, with the hope of preparing them to go back to mom.
More than 10 Family-Integrated Care rooms to support families in a home-like setting. While the expert NICU staff is just a call away, families can take responsibility for caring for their baby, just as they will when they leave the hospital.
Studies have shown that the more parents are involved with their newborn’s care, the sooner babies are ready to thrive on their own.
A family liaison position. A parent who’s had a child in the NICU knows the challenges your family is going through and can provide education and support to parents and caregivers. Our family liaison is a former NICU parent with special training and this role has been very helpful in guiding caregivers through their NICU journey.
Providing support to families experiencing the stress of caring for fragile newborns. Studies have shown that parents whose baby had a NICU stay are at high risk for Postpartum Mood Disorder (PPMD) as well as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition to the family liaison, we have a psychologist who helps parents make sense of their experience and supports them through their transition home.
Learn more about our Family Integrated Care services
Why Choose Us
We've designed the NICU environment to promote healing, with private family rooms.
Designated as a Level IV NICU, Randall Children’s Hospital provides the highest level NICU care available in the state, and our outcomes and survival rates for babies with chronic lung disease are some of the best in the nation.
By recently expanding the NICU’s research program, we’re able to offer new medical interventions. Our goal is to help even more babies grow and flourish.
At Randall Children’s, your family can access a wide range of medical services in one place. Care is personalized and family-integrated. You are an important part of our care team. We welcome families from a wide variety of cultural and religious backgrounds, and your family will be treated with respect and sensitivity during this difficult time.
Learn more about visiting the NICU
Our NICU Locations
Legacy Health offers NICU services at both Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in Northeast Portland and at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington.
Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel in Portland, Oregon
The NICU at Randall Children’s Hospital is a Level 4, which means we can offer the highest level of care in the state for critically ill or preterm infants. We are also a regional referral center, which means we can refer your child to another top facility, depending on your child’s needs and location. We have 45 beds and 38 rooms, which 7 are twin rooms and 31 single rooms.
Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center in Vancouver, Washington
This Level 3 NICU is the highest-level infant care in Southwest Washington, and treats critically ill or preterm infants born up to 25 weeks early. The NICU has capacity to care for 25 babies in 15 private rooms, three rooms for twins, and an additional four infants in the special care nursery.
If an infant needs additional services at Randall Children's Hospital, the KIDS Team Mobile ICU is available 24/7 for transport.
The NICU Care Team
Our care team includes Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNPs) and Neonatologist. NNPs are dedicated professionals who provide round-the-clock care for NICU babies, working under the supervision of the NICU medical director.Our NNPs are specially trained to work with premature infants and are licensed to do procedures and write orders.
Neonatologists are medical doctors who have had medical school training, residency training in general pediatrics, and three years of additional training in newborn intensive care. They’re also certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and the sub-board of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. This extensive training gives them the knowledge and experience they need to give your infant the very best care.
Get Connected & Stay Informed
MyHealth gives you access to your child's medical records. View test results, diagnoses, medications, follow-up instructions, make an appointment and more.
