SSM Health's Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital Has Nationally Ranked Level IV Neonatal ICU

From the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

June 17, 2021

By SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital

The Level IV NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital is a 65-bed unit that provides care for about 750 fragile infants every year. Our SLUCare team of providers consists of board-certified neonatologists, subspecialists, and certified advanced practice practitioners.

Tell us a little bit about being a Level IV NICU.

As established by the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Level IV NICU provides the highest level of care for the most premature, medically complex, and critically ill infants. Beyond the intensive care provided by a Level III NICU, we offer continuous, on-site availability of neonatologists with ready access to all pediatric medical and surgical specialists. The unit also has advanced imaging and monitoring facilities available around the clock.

What makes the NICU at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon different from other programs?
We take a multidisciplinary team approach to providing evidence-based neonatal care. In addition to the medical providers, team members consist of dieticians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, social workers, hospital chaplains and a variety of therapists including occupational, physical, speech, child life and music therapists. We have trained volunteers to provide positive sensory experiences for infants. Families are encouraged to stay with their infants and participate in their care including skin-to-skin holding.

How does the multidisciplinary approach benefit patients?
It becomes especially important in infants with complex problems that require multiple subspecialty consultations. This multifaceted approach provides a supportive environment for both the baby and the family. It decreases stress and ensures that when the time comes, both the baby and family are ready to transition home from the hospital.

What are some of the most common conditions your team treats?
Our team takes care of premature and extremely premature infants. We care for infants born with issues that require specialized care, such as treatment for heart defects, defects in the closure of the abdominal wall, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and open spina bifida among several others.

Describe the exceptional care your team offers to patients and their families?
To help families prepare for the arrival of their babies who may need special assistance, we provide consultations in the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute and the birthing suites at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital. Families can be assured of a seamless continuity of care.

Our leadership is constantly striving to improve care. Our researchers investigate and develop innovative treatment approaches that improve outcomes. We also seek feedback from families, and we are proud to have family representatives on all our NICU Quality Improvement committees.

We are dedicated to providing compassionate and exceptional care for our patients and their families.

This press release was produced by the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed are the author's own.