See inside HCA Florida Capital Hospital's new $5 million neonatal intensive care unit
HCA Capital Florida Hospital, formerly known as Capital Regional Medical Center, has added what its staff calls an essential addition to the newly named health care facility — a state of the art, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
The $5 million, 10-bed unit will expand the hospital's ability to provide intensive care for sick and premature infants born at HCA Florida Capital Hospital.
The facility will care for infants that are born as much as 10 weeks early. Some of the babies, who can weigh as little as 2 pounds, 7 ounces, may need to gain weight, others may be jaundiced or require respiratory and low blood sugar support.
"This is huge for our community," said Emily Beale, the director of women’s and children’s services at the hospital, adding that the new unit will serve people from across the Big Bend.
Previously, the hospital would have to send premature infants to outside healthcare facilities. Now, they will be able to care for them in-house beginning May 2.
The NICU will be staffed by board-certified neonatologists, pediatricians and registered nurses who specialize in sick and premature infants.
Additionally, specially-trained pharmacists, dietitians, respiratory therapists and many other specialists on-site to support the healthy development of the NICU babies.
The newly renovated space is packed with new equipment including its 10 isolette beds that protect infants from germs.
Each isolette bed is equipped with a camera that will allow parents and guardians to view their babies from anywhere at anytime.
"We are ready," said Beale with a smile during a tour of the new unit that's been under construction since November. "Now, we're just waiting on our first babies."
Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: A virtual tour of HCA Capital Hospital's new neonatal intensive care unit
