More premature and critically ill newborns can receive specialized care close to home following an expansion of the Sally and John Francis Tanner Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton.

Tanner Health has expanded the Level III NICU from 10 to 14 beds, a 40% increase in permanent bed capacity, with space for two additional overflow beds. The expansion comes as the number of babies needing specialized neonatal care continues to grow.

“The NICU expansion will provide much-needed additional bed space to accommodate our growing census and allow us to provide critical care to more babies right here in our community,” said Christi Thompson, RN, NICU/nursery nurse manager. “Most importantly, this means families can stay closer to home during an incredibly difficult time while reducing the need to transfer babies to other facilities when we can provide that specialized care here.  We have a great staff of neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners and nurses who are able to provide the best care to our babies and families alike.”

Tanner has also expanded the specialized treatment available in the NICU with the addition of nitric oxide therapy for newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension, a serious condition that can prevent a baby from getting enough oxygen into the bloodstream. Previously, babies who required the therapy had to be transferred to another facility. Tanner’s neonatal team can now provide the treatment in Carrollton.

The NICU has also implemented Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) for newborns experiencing neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, or NOWS. The approach focuses on a baby’s ability to eat, sleep and be consoled while emphasizing supportive care based on the baby’s individual needs. Since implementing ESC, Tanner has reduced the length of stay for newborns experiencing opioid withdrawal.

Tanner’s Level III NICU provides around-the-clock specialized care for premature and low- birthweight babies, twins and triplets, critically ill newborns and babies who need respiratory support. The NICU supports maternity centers at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton and Tanner Medical Center/Villa Rica as well as hospitals throughout the region.

Learn more about the NICU at tanner.org/nicu-services.