Nursery & Neonatal Intensive Care
The newborn nursery is located on the maternity unit. The nursery can accommodate 35 infants. Admission criteria is a birth weight of at least 2000 gm.
Our NICU provides one of the highest levels of care in Monmouth and Ocean counties to critically ill newborns and those at risk of complications after birth. One of the few state-designated Level III nurseries specializing in the care of high-risk newborns, Jersey Shore's NICU admits infants from birth through 28 days with a variety of diagnoses, the most common being prematurity. Premature infants can face many complications that require medical assistance. Our primary goal is to provide intensive care to infants until they're healthy enough to go home to their families. (Children older than 28 days are treated in our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
We care for several hundreds of babies each year, coupling the highest level of technology with the least amount of disturbance to the newborns. Each fully equipped area includes an isolette/incubator, ventilator, central monitoring, individually controlled lighting, and soundproofing to create an environment that's best for the infant's needs.
The regular nursery is staffed by specialized maternity nurses. There is close collaboration between the nurses, the pediatric house staff and the OB-GYN housestaff.
The nursery staff work closely with the NICU and any infant requiring monitoring, respiratory support, IV antibiotics or fluids, or other specialized care is transferred to the NICU. Infants requiring phototherapy for uncomplicated hyperbilirubinemia remain in the nursery.
All newborns have a hearing screen and a newborn metabolic state screen done prior to discharge. Hepatitis B vaccine is offered to all infants. Circumcisions are performed by the obstetricians. Lactation support is provided by the maternity nurses. Social work consultation is provided to any infant and mother unit requiring support and home visiting nurses are also arranged if further support is required.
Jersey Shore is also the only hospital in Monmouth and Ocean counties accepted as a full member of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions, and is home to the most advanced pediatric sub specialists in the region.
Links for Nursery & Neonatal Intensive Care
