Private NICU rooms at Phoenix Children's Hospital offer womb-like environment
When babies are born too soon, they are often thrust into a chaotic environment, much different from the quiet, protective womb they have grown used to.
"Studies have proven that the limited space, bright lights, and noise in most hospitals can jeopardize the well-being of premature and critically-ill infants," said Laurie Vasquez, director of the Hospital's NICU.
Phoenix Children's Hospital's new 180 square foot private "womb rooms" offer families the ability to control their baby's environment to promote healing and bonding.
- Individualized thermostats regulate temperature.
- Sound-dampening doors, specially designed floor and ceiling tiles, minimize noise.
- Light levels are adjustable.
- Comfortable chairs in private rooms encourage cuddling, so parents can bond with their babies.
The rooms also offer state-of-the-art technologies that allow healthcare staff to monitor patients from anywhere in the unit. Nurses are able to instantly connect with patients, receive patient alerts directly from the room, and even check if the patient is suffering from an acute or dangerous condition through telemetry.
Phoenix Children's Hospital embarked on this $31.7 million NICU expansion in September 2006. The revamped Julie and Tim Louis NICU, located on the campus of Banner Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, has 76 private patient rooms that can accommodate up to 110 babies. A number of the new rooms are specially equipped to handle multiple births.
"ABC World News with Charles Gibson" featured Phoenix Children's Hospital's innovative womb rooms on July 3, 2007. Click here to read the story and watch the video.
