New Nursery
Offers Specialized Care for
Premature or Sick Babies

In the past, babies born more than four weeks early or who were ill would be transferred to another facility, adding to the stress and inconvenience for new parents. Opening in September, the new Special Care Nursery raises the level of care Holland Hospital can offer. It is designed to care for preterm babies born as early as 32 weeks, and moderately ill newborns requiring extra monitoring and support before going home.

Neonatal nurse practitioner Nancy Westendorp cares for a baby in the Boven Birth Center.

24-hour dedicated care
Dr. Wang is part of a team of pediatric "hospitalists" – physicians whose practice is dedicated solely to in-hospital care. "When the Special Care Nursery opens in September, there will be a pediatric hospitalist immediately available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to take care of babies," states Kathy Austin, director of Women and Children's Services at Holland Hospital.

Having dedicated pediatricians and neonatal specialists always available benefits all babies, explains Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Nancy Westendorp. "We're specially trained and equipped to care for premature babies and those needing extra care before going home, but we're also here to identify and care for unexpected problems, too," she says. "We know what to look for."

In addition, the Boven Birth Center's experienced nursing staff has been undergoing intense education and training for the past year to prepare for the new intermediate-care nursery. Infant health conditions that the nursery is specially equipped to care for include:

• Preterm babies born as young as 32 weeks
• Respiratory problems
• Special feeding procedures
• Developmental care
• Infections
• Multiple births

The average stay for a baby in a Special Care Nursery is about 11 days, notes Austin. "They need a special, supportive environment in order to grow and thrive, but they're expected to go home soon to be cared for by their mothers. They may then need some follow-up care afterwards."

Three-day-old Olivia Rae Spykerman sleeps in an OmniBed at Holland Hospital. With her are proud parents Keri and Bryan Spykerman of Zeeland.

The eight-bed Special Care Nursery will be adjacent to, but separate from, the regular nursery to give the frailer babies a quieter environment and provide caregivers – which may include cardiopulmonary, lab and radiology specialists – with easier access. Each bed in the nursery will have its own bay, with adequate space for family and caregivers.

A noteworthy feature is the state-of-the-art OmniBed. Called a Giraffe (because the top section can be raised above the bed on a long "neck"), the eight OmniBeds provide everything the infant requires in one elevated bed, including temperature and humidity control, mattresses that can be rotated or tilted as needed, an X-ray tray, special lighting that supports circadian rhythms, and dual-access doors and portholes.

"It enables us to take care of a baby in an open warmer or a closed isolette with easy accessibility for physicians and families," says Austin. "A key benefit is that we can treat babies in one place instead of moving them from bed to bed."

Focus on families
There can be no doubt that the Special Care Nursery is a place for babies – and their siblings. It has fluffy clouds on the ceiling and a painted pond with lily pads on the floor. An arch on the ceiling looks like a rainbow, with special backlighting to make it glow. Windows to the nursery are tulip shaped, with one window especially low for small children to look through.

Amenities for parents and family members include lockers, a living room, a bathroom with shower, a small kitchen and Internet access. "It was designed to be a family space so that mom and dad have a comfortable place to stay while their baby is in the hospital, sometimes for weeks," says Mike Parker, Holland Hospital construction director.

"We want parents and family to be here as much as they want to be," agrees Austin. "We involve them in planning for their baby's care, and for discharge."

Unseen features are just as important: special rubber-backed vinyl flooring to absorb noise; a comprehensive security system that includes tamper-proof bracelets and automatic door locks and alarms; and an isolation room with negative airflow for babies whose mothers have chicken pox or other airborne diseases.

Improvements are also underway for new mothers. All of the birthing suites in the Boven Birth Center – which are set up for labor, delivery and postpartum care in one private room – are being renovated with new furniture, flooring and a soothing, sophisticated color scheme.

Find out more
Most women have uncomplicated pregnancies and go on to deliver healthy babies at Holland Hospital's Boven Birth Center. But if the unexpected occurs, new parents can rest assured that the hospital's Special Care Nursery has the expertise and medical equipment to treat babies who need extra care.

For more information about pregnancy and delivery services at Holland Hospital, visit hollandhospital.org.

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