Specialized Care for our Smallest Patients
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at our Women & Infant’s Center provides the area’s only specialized care for the smallest patients, from premature infants to sick "term" newborns. In fact, we now have the capacity to care for younger and smaller preemies, as young as 23 weeks and as small as 500 grams (about 1 lb.).
The medical team is led by the region’s only neonatologists- pediatricians with many additional years of subspecialty training in the care of newborns. They work in the hospital full-time, focused exclusively on the care of the most fragile infants.
They are assisted by an experienced nursing staff, pediatric therapists, pharmacists, and dieticians dedicated to the physical and developmental needs of babies. In addition, a licensed social worker is available at all times to assist with any parent/patient and family needs.
This specialized expertise, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, provides the regions only neonatal intensive care services. Read more about what to expect in the NICU.
Highlights:
- 24/7 care from the area’s only Board-Certified neonatologists
- Specially-trained nursing care, respiratory support, and 24 hour a day monitoring.
- Medical management in our 26-bed Level IIIb NICU
- Treatment for critically-ill term babies who require oscillator ventilation and nitric oxide for pulmonary hypertension
- Neonatal transport to EIRMC within 150-mile radius, under direction of Board-certified Neonatologist and specialized flight and ground transport teams
- Neonatal regional referral center for southeast Idaho, western Wyoming, and southern Montana
Specialists and Staff:
Physicians- Drs. Shannon Jenkins and Travis Anschutz, Board-Certified in both Neonatology and Pediatrics- and neonatologist Kimberly Balay collaborate with EIRMC’s experienced perinatologists, OB/GYNs, and pediatricians on high-risk cases. They provide consultation on high-risk pregnancies, are bedside at delivery, and monitor development after birth.
Nurses- Our NICU is staffed by nearly 50 RNs with national certifications in neonatal care and most with 10+ years of experience.
Supporting Interdisciplinary Teams- We have all the interdisciplinary staff needed to support neonatal care: a Board-Certified lactation consultant; respiratory, occupational, physical, and speech therapists; registered dietitians; lab technicians; licensed social workers; and transport teams. We also have outpatient clinics for pediatric cardiology (monthly) and perinatology (weekly).
Transport Teams- Our neonatal transport nurses are RNs who have training in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS); Neonatal Resusiciation Program (NRP); and Sugar & Safe Care, Temperature, Airway, Blood Pressure, Lab work, Emotional Support (STABLE).
Indications for Consultation:
If pre-labor complications are expected, call 208-227-2777 to find perinatology and neonatology specialists for early consultation.
Maternal and Fetal Care:
- preterm labor
- preterm rupture of membranes
- severe pregnancy-induced hypertension or other hypertensive complications
- antepartum hemorrhage
- multiple gestation
- malpresentation
- medical complications of pregnancy (e.g., diabetes, renal disease, hepatitis)
- intrauterine growth restriction
- fetal abnormalities
- inadequate progress in labor
Newborn Care:
- all gestational ages, especially 34 weeks or younger (due to high likelihood of feeding difficulties and respiratory problems)
- low birth weight
- severe infection
- feeding difficulties
- persistent respiratory distress
- minor congenital malformations requiring special diagnostic procedures or treatments
- sequelae of hypoxic ischemic events with persistent evidence of multisystem organ dysfunction
