The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a 25-bed, Level IIIb unit with approximately 375 admissions annually. We provide care to a full spectrum of newborns. They range from extremely premature infants, to term or near-term high-risk and critically ill babies, to babies less critical but still recovering and maturing. State-of-the-art medical care is provided, and supported by a wide-range of pediatric subspecialty consultants and ancillary services.

Medical services provided include:

• Multidisciplinary care for high-risk neonates
• High-frequency ventilation, including the oscillator and jet ventilators
• Inhaled nitric oxide therapy
• 24-hour, in-house coverage for high-risk deliveries
• Pediatric subspecialty consultations

Family Services

At Johns Hopkins Bayview, we are very cognizant of the need to support the families of infants hospitalized in our NICU. We recognize that for many families, having a newborn in the NICU is challenging and stressful. During this time, we offer numerous support services, including:

• Breast Pumping Room & Breast Milk Storage
  For mothers desiring to provide breast milk for their newborns as they recover and grow. We also feature a breast pump loaner program.
• Car Seat Testing
  For infants less than 37 weeks (and others, as needed) prior to discharge.
• Complex Congenital Heart Disease Screening    
• Educational Materials
  Handouts and books; videos available for in-hospital teaching.   
• Family Conference Room
  For private conversations between families and the NICU medical team regarding an infant's status and ongoing care.
• Health Maintenance for Newborns
• Hearing Screening with AABR
• Infant CPR Training
• Interpreter Services
  We have Spanish interpreters on staff that are available 24 hours a day. The Johns Hopkins International Office and an interpreter service via the Cyracom phone system both are available in house.
• Newborn Metabolic Screening
• NICU Family Library & Resource Center
  Funded by the Johns Hopkins Children's Center Special Project Fund 2010; a desktop computer is available for use by parents (assistance from a medical librarian may be requested).    
• Parent Sleep Room
  Provided for parents travelling from a great distance, and for new mothers to rest while visiting their infants. This sleep room and full bathroom were fully renovated in May 2004 through a charitable donation by several local businesses.
• Social Work Consultation
  For every family of a NICU infant.

Medical Team

Leadership

Neonatologists

Support the NICU

Support for our mission of caring for critically ill newborns, growing premature infants and their families is always welcome and appreciated. From grateful families and relatives we have received monetary donations, as well as wooden rocking chairs, framed photographs and beautifully engraved plaques that we proudly display in the NICU area. From individuals, foundations and businesses throughout the community, we have received monetary donations, the renovated Parent Sleep Room and personal items such as hand-knitted blankets, hats and outfits.

Gifts to the NICU assist us with the purchase of new equipment and educational materials for parents and families. With your help, some items on our NICU "wish list" could become reality:

• Manikins for teaching infant CPR
• Furniture for the Family Waiting Area
• New flat-screen TV/DVD player for parent education

If you or someone you know is interested in making a donation or supporting our mission at the Johns Hopkins Bayview NICU, please contact the development office at 410-502-2911.

The NICU team is made up of board-certified neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP), and a nursing staff experienced in neonatal care. Those in training, including neonatology fellows, and nursing and nurse practitioner students also join the Johns Hopkins Bayview NICU team. Physicians on the team care for infants at both the Johns Hopkins Bayview and Johns Hopkins Hospital NICUs.