Kaiser Nicu Locations In California: Where Are They?

Kaiser Permanente's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides family-centred care to newborn infants requiring intensive care. The NICU is a high-tech nursery with trained personnel, including doctors, nurses, and support staff, who provide specialised care for babies with special medical needs. Kaiser Permanente has a NICU in Santa Clara, California, with 26 beds for patients including premature infants, infants needing surgery, or any infant requiring close observation.

NICU locations in Santa Clara, Northern California

In Santa Clara, Northern California, the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center offers a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). This NICU is a 40-bed regional center level IV unit that has provided specialised care for newborns with special medical needs since 1972.

The NICU at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center is equipped with Giraffe beds, which are isolettes that provide warmth, humidity, and a quiet environment for newborns to grow. The center also employs innovative, evidence-based interventions and technology, such as keeping up-to-date with new technology to provide optimal care for newborns.

The NICU team at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center includes doctors, nurses, and support staff who work together to provide specialised care for newborns 24 hours a day. This includes neonatologists (pediatricians with additional training in caring for sick and premature babies), neonatal nurse practitioners, specialists in areas like cardiology or neurology, registered nurses, and respiratory therapists trained to treat breathing problems.

The NICU at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center also recognises the importance of parental involvement, aiming to minimise the separation of newborns from their families. They encourage skin-to-skin contact between parents and newborns, helping little ones adjust to life outside the womb and triggering healthy baby behaviours. They also provide support and assistance to parents as they bond with their newborns and prepare to bring them home.

NICU locations in Southern Alameda County, Northern California

Kaiser Permanente has Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) in California. NICUs are high-tech nurseries with trained personnel that provide specialized care for babies with special medical needs. This includes sick or premature newborns, who require the assistance of doctors, nurses, and support staff.

In Southern Alameda County, Northern California, there are several NICU locations. These include:

Providence St. Joseph Medical Center NICU Level III

This NICU is located in Southern Alameda County and offers Level III care. It has 20 beds and is staffed by a team of medical professionals, including a private practice MD, Robert Gall.

St. Bernardine Medical Center NICU Level III

Also in Southern Alameda County, this NICU offers Level III care with 20 beds available.

St. Jude Medical Center NICU Level III

This NICU, located in Southern Alameda County, has 14 beds and provides Level III care. It is associated with a private practice MD, David Hicks.

St. Mary's Medical Center NICU Level II

With 8 beds, this NICU in Southern Alameda County offers Level II care.

These NICU locations in Southern Alameda County, Northern California, are equipped with the necessary resources and medical expertise to provide specialized care for newborns with special medical needs.

NICU staff and specialists

The NICU is a high-tech nursery with trained personnel that provides specialised care for newborns with special medical needs. The NICU staff comprises a group of different medical professionals, each with their own specialty.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioners

Neonatal nurse practitioners are nurses with advanced training in newborn care. They are the caregivers who spend the most time at a baby's bedside, caring for the infant and supporting the family. They may also be a part of the NICU transport team or become an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) specialist after special training.

Neonatologists

Neonatologists are paediatricians with additional training in caring for sick and premature babies. They determine and coordinate the daily and long-term plan of care for newborns with health problems. They may consult with other specialists to help with a baby's care.

Allied Health Professionals/Advanced Practice Professionals

These healthcare providers are nurse practitioners or physician assistants who work under the supervision of a neonatologist. They may have more experience in patient care than a resident but will not have had the same amount of education and training.

Attending Doctors

The attending doctor is the main doctor responsible for the baby's care. They have completed fellowship training in neonatology after residency training in paediatrics. They are paediatricians with special training in caring for babies who are sick or premature and require intensive care after birth.

Specialists

Specialists are doctors with expertise in specific areas, such as cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, or infectious diseases. They are consulted based on the baby's specific medical needs. For example, a cardiologist would be involved if the baby has a heart defect, while an infectious disease specialist would treat serious infections, including those of the blood, brain, or spinal cord.

Respiratory Therapists

Respiratory therapists are specialists who treat any breathing problems the newborn may have.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists are responsible for the preparation and use of medicines in the NICU, including antibiotics, immunizations, and intravenous (IV) solutions.

Dietitians or Nutritionists

Dietitians or nutritionists are professionals educated and trained in nutrition specific to newborns, including human milk, vitamin and mineral supplements, and preterm infant formulas.

Other Support Staff

The NICU may also include other support staff such as a charge nurse, who is responsible for managing the NICU and admitting and discharging patients; a family support coordinator, who provides information and comfort to families; and a lactation consultant, who assists mothers with breastfeeding.

Parent and family visiting policies

Kaiser Permanente's NICU is open to parents 24/7. Parents are considered an important part of the NICU care team, and the hospital's goal is to help parents be with their babies as much as possible while providing the specialized care the babies need. Most babies can be held soon after they arrive in the NICU, and parents can hold their babies skin-to-skin as soon as it is medically possible.

There may be short periods during the day when visitors are not allowed, such as during report time and doctor rounds, to maintain patient confidentiality. Visiting is limited to two people at a time per family, and other family members may visit with a parent during normal hospital visiting hours. All visitors, including parents, are required to sign in at the receptionist's desk before entering the NICU for security reasons.

Cell phones are not permitted at any time on the entire second floor of the hospital as they may interfere with the NICU's monitors.

Preparing to take your baby home

Knowing When Your Baby Is Ready to Go Home

The NICU staff will determine when your baby is ready to be discharged by evaluating their physical milestones and health status. Some key indicators that your baby is ready to go home include:

• Steadily gaining weight and the ability to breastfeed or bottle-feed effectively.
• Stable body temperature in a normal infant bed.
• Stable heart rate and breathing rate for a week.

Learning Baby Care Skills

The NICU staff will teach you essential baby care skills and provide you with important information to confidently care for your baby at home:

• Feeding: They will guide you on your baby's feeding needs, provide a feeding schedule, and teach you how to use any necessary feeding equipment, such as tube feeding or bottle-feeding techniques.
• Infant CPR: You will learn how to perform infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of emergencies.
• Safe transportation: They will instruct you on how to safely transport your baby in a car, ensuring their comfort and security during travel.
• Medical equipment: You will be taught how to handle any medical equipment your baby may require at home, such as oxygen support for breathing problems, and how to administer medications safely.
• Home setup: The staff will guide you on arranging your home to accommodate any special equipment your baby needs, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment.

Discharge Planning

Before your baby is discharged, you will meet with the hospital's discharge planner, the doctor, and the NICU staff to discuss a comprehensive medical care plan. This is an opportunity to ask questions and address any concerns. The plan will include details such as checkups, specialist care, and ongoing tests. It is recommended to schedule an appointment with your baby's regular doctor shortly after discharge to ensure continuity of care. Additionally, inquire about home-based health care and support services that may be available in your area, such as home nursing care.

Post-Discharge Follow-up Care

Follow-up care is crucial for your child's ongoing treatment and safety. Ensure that your baby's doctor has all the necessary health information to provide continuous care. Attend all scheduled appointments and stay in close communication with your doctor regarding your child's progress and any concerns. Keep track of your child's test results and maintain a record of any medications they are taking. Remember that the hospital and your baby's healthcare team are readily available to provide support and answer any questions that may arise during this new chapter at home.

Frequently asked questions