Serving as a national model for specialized protocols and practices, Loyola's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is a leader in neonatal care. Fifty neonatal intensive care beds are situated in a highly secured area of the Ronald McDonald® Children's Hospital of Loyola University Medical Center. The overall survival rate of infants in Loyola's NICU is 98 percent.
Because of our expertise, the Loyola NICU has:
- Nurtured survival of the world's two smallest neonates (8.6 ounces in 2004 and 9.9 ounces in 1989)
- Created a first-of-its-kind, integrated Home Care Program for premature or sick infants
- Provide a Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic for NICU graduates up to 3 years old
- Trained neonatologists who have been recruited by hospitals throughout the United States
- Published more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and given more than 200 lectures over the last 25 years
- Maintained a regional network with referring community hospitals and conducted quarterly reviews on neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality
Transforming the Neonatal ICU
The Neonatal ICU opened in 1987, and only minor cosmetic updates have been made since. Today, the unit is in urgent need of renovation to meet the ongoing requirements and expectations of patients and families.
Our goal is to transform the NICU with:
- State-of-the-art technology reflecting the latest advances in neonatology care
- Fifty new neonatal omni-beds
- Optimized clinical staff workflow
- Family-friendly accommodations
- Quiet, nurturing, healing environment
The Loyola Children's Committee hopes to raise $6 million to renovate the NICU with up-to-date technology and code requirements; plus an additional $2 million to $4 million that would transform the NICU to an environment that supports the extended visits typical of NICU babies and one that reflects the superb outcomes and compassionate care for which Loyola is known.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM
