Sometimes, babies need a little extra care. Whether they arrived too soon or have health problems at birth, you can take comfort in knowing that PinnacleHealth has the area's only Level III, high-volume Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Each year in our NICU, we care for nearly 500 babies from as young as 23 weeks to full-term infants with complex medical and surgical issues. Parents are always an important part of the care team. We do everything possible to keep you and your family close to your infant if he or she must be in the hospital, including promoting skin-to-skin or Kangaroo Care and "rooming-in."  This keeps your family involved in your baby's care and helps prepare you for taking him or her home.

About the NICU

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Harrisburg Hospital has 32 beds, staffed 24 hours a day by neonatologists and highly skilled and experienced nurses. PinnacleHealth is also part of the Pediatrix Medical Group.  This is the largest group of neonatal experts in the United States, with more than 600 physicians providing care to more than 4,000 babies every day in 240 NICUs across the country. PinnacleHealth is linked to the group by an extensive Intranet service available for "on-line" patient management discussions and consultations.

Neurodevelopment Follow-Up Clinic

Babies requiring care in the NICU often need follow-up care to ensure that they grow and develop properly. Whether the problem is general, such as low birth weight and failure to thrive, or is more specific and unique, babies receive intensive follow-up and treatment, provided by PinnacleHealth’s Neurodevelopment Follow-Up Clinic. This clinic brings together a nutritionist, physical therapist and infant development intervention specialist, all working under the direction of a developmental pediatrician to develop a plan for follow-up care that gives babies the best possible start after leaving the NICU.

For more information call the Children and Teen Center at  (717) 782-4650.

Visiting the NICU

Parents may visit the NICU 24 hours a day except during:

• NICU-related emergencies
• Physicians Rounds - approx. 9-10:30 a.m. Parents can join rounds for their baby only.

Only two people are allowed at the baby's bedside at one time, and family and friends may visit ONLY when accompanied by one of the parents.

Visitors other than parents may visit during regular hospital visiting hours,12-8 p.m. Visitors other than siblings must be 16 years or older, and siblings must be at least 3 years old and have had the chicken pox vaccine at least one month prior to visiting. Parents must supervise children at all times. Please try to keep the visits of young children brief. Parents are responsible for teaching siblings how to wash their hands properly before entering the unit.

IF YOU OR ANY VISITORS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO ANY INFECTIOUS DISEASE OR HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT COLD AND FLU, PLEASE DISCUSS THESE WITH YOUR BABY'S NURSE BEFORE ENTERING THE UNIT!