Welcome to Kim and Steven Ullman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
The Kim and Steven Ullman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) features state-of-the-art private rooms and is where we provide world-class care to Santa Clarita’s tiniest patients.
Developmental Care
Our NICU prioritizes developmental care for premature infants and critically ill newborns, aiming to optimize their outcomes. This comprehensive approach focuses on reducing stress, conserving energy, and promoting growth and well-being. The NICU staff creates a calm environment, minimizes noise, and facilitates parent-infant bonding to reduce stress. They carefully monitor the newborn’s environment to conserve energy and enhance recovery. The team also provides appropriate developmental stimulation at each stage of neurodevelopmental maturation, protecting sleep and supporting the transition to oral feeds.
The benefits of our developmental care program are remarkable. It leads to improved short-term growth outcomes, decreased reliance on respiratory support, and a lower incidence of chronic lung disease. The program also contributes to shorter hospital stays, increased breastfeeding rates at discharge, and improved neurodevelopment up to 24 months corrected age. By prioritizing developmental care, Henry Mayo's NICU strives to provide the best possible support and outcomes for premature and critically ill infants.
NicView Camera
Our NICU deploys a Nicview camera system, an innovative and valuable addition to our care approach. Placed above the bed of NICU babies, this camera system provides an opportunities for parents, family, and friends to have round-the-clock, real-time access to their infants through a secure online portal. The Nicview camera system plays a significant role in enhancing parental involvement and strengthening relationships, as it allows parents to stay connected with their baby even when they are physically unable to be present in the NICU. This constant access provides reassurance and peace of mind, allowing parents to witness their baby's progress and be actively involved in their care. Moreover, the Nicview camera system contributes to increased patient satisfaction, as it offers a sense of closeness and involvement despite physical separation. Importantly, the secure and encrypted transmissions of the camera system ensure that caregivers in the NICU can manage infant viewing securely, maintaining privacy and confidentiality for the utmost safety and protection of the infants and their families.
The NICU Team
- 2 Neonatologists – Nousheen H. Zaman, MD and Sarah Renee Volz, MD
- NICU RN’s – specialized training and minimum two years level III experience required
- NICU respiratory therapists –our specialty-trained respiratory therapists perform neonatal intubations and attend all deliveries.
- NICU pharmacist – specialized training. Our pharmacists are specialty-trained for the NICU population
- Lactation Consultants
- Social Workers
- Dieticians
High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilator
Our NICU utilizes a High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilator (HFOV), an advanced ventilation device designed specifically for infants. HFOV provides lung protective ventilation, reducing the risk of ventilator-induced lung injury. The device delivers rapid and small volumes of air, minimizing the potential for volutrauma and maintaining lung recruitment. Additionally, HFOV helps decrease the requirement for supplemental oxygen (FiO2). A unique feature of HFOV is the "chest wiggle," which promotes airway clearance and improves ventilation distribution. This ventilation modality is suitable for various conditions such as Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS), Chronic lung disease of prematurity, Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (MAS), Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH), Neonatal Air-leak Syndrome, Pneumonia, Pulmonary Hemorrhage, and Hypoplastic lungs. By employing the HFOV, our NICU ensures that critically ill infants receive optimal lung support and tailored care for their specific respiratory needs.
Total Body Cooling for Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
The NICU’s Total Body Cooling is a therapeutic treatment for infants with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a condition that can cause permanent brain impairment. This treatment involves cooling the baby's body to 33-34 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, reducing the risk of brain injury. By modifying cells programmed for cell death and decreasing cerebral metabolic rate, Total Body Cooling improves chances of survival without significant neurological impairment. It is a crucial intervention provided by our NICU to improve outcomes for infants affected by Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy.
Giraffe Omnibed
We use the Giraffe OmniBed as an advanced incubator/isolate to provide premature and ill babies with a controlled and stress-reduced environment that mimics the womb. This innovative equipment plays a vital role in supporting the delicate needs of these infants. The Giraffe OmniBed effectively regulates body temperature, ensuring that the infants are kept warm and comfortable. It also features humidity control to prevent moisture loss through their thin and fragile skin.
The design of the Giraffe OmniBed incorporates convenience and accessibility for healthcare providers. Its mattress can be rotated 360 degrees, allowing easy positioning of the baby for medical procedures and care. The large drop-down doors provide quick and efficient access from both sides, facilitating medical interventions and parental interaction. Additionally, the Giraffe OmniBed is equipped with a built-in scale for weighing the baby, which simplifies monitoring their growth and progress. If necessary, an unobtrusive x-ray tray is also available for convenient imaging scans. Overall, the Giraffe OmniBed at Henry Mayo's NICU ensures a supportive and technologically advanced environment for the optimal care of premature and ill infants.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital - Exceptional care for your little one.