NICU

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

At Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, you can take comfort in knowing that we offer a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), where we can provide high-level care for premature and critically ill babies. For more than 20 years, our NICU has provided advanced critical care to the Central Coast’s tiniest, most fragile babies. Our facility is currently the only Level III NICU in San Luis Obispo County and very rarely do babies need to be transferred out of the area for care. We have the capability and resources to care for newborn infants with extreme prematurity (23 or more weeks gestation) or who are critically ill.

Our Team

Should your baby need intensive care, our neonatologists and neonatal nurse practitioners are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide advanced care. Our compassionate, highly skilled NICU staff also includes clinical nurse specialists, respiratory therapists, physical and occupational therapists, lactation specialists, nutritionists and social workers.

Support for Your Family

Having a newborn in the NICU can be stressful to say the least, but we work closely with the parents and families of each newborn, providing support and encouragement on a daily basis. Parents are encouraged to participate in the care of their newborn and are taught how to interact and respond to their basic needs in a mutually beneficial way.

NICU Infant Follow-Up Program

The High Risk Infant Follow-Up Program at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center provides comprehensive developmental follow-up to eligible graduates of the neonatal intensive care unit. Our multidisciplinary team provides infant development assessments, parent support and family education. We work closely with your pediatrician and other medical professionals involved in the care of your child to promote optimal growth and development.

The follow-up program is staffed by doctors, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, nutritionists and social workers.

Your Newborn or Infant May Need NICU Care

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Unit (NICU) provides specialized care for the tiniest patients. You may be aware even before your baby is even born that he or she will need NICU care due to a diagnosed concern, or your baby may need help after birth or arriving home.

Rest assured, the Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center NICU offers specialized, comprehensive medical care for your baby, meetings and exceeding rigorous standards. In addition, we have a Facebook group of other parents who have children in the NICU or have gone through that experience in the past. Sharing your emotions and concerns with a group of likeminded individuals can help with the process.

Special Care in The NICU

Premature babies especially need a supportive environment to help them continue to mature and develop as they would in their mother's womb. While your baby is getting the best care and medical attention from the team at Sierra Vista, our Facebook group will help make sure you tend to your emotional needs and care.

Join our Facebook group to find support and information in this NICU online community.