January 19, 2011
The Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Hillcrest Hospital has received a Level III designation from the State of Ohio’s Department of Health, a rating reserved only for NICU facilities that meet the strictest criteria. The NICU at Hillcrest is staffed and equipped to provide life-saving treatment for full-term to critically ill newborns.
“We are very pleased to provide the community with this higher level of care,” said Firas Saker, MD, FAAP, medical director of the NICU. “Hillcrest’s NICU has been elevated to Level III, which gives us the ability to care for extremely premature infants born as early as 22 weeks. We are the only east side community hospital with this designation.”
Hillcrest recently completed a $163 million expansion project. The new NICU was an important part of that design. Staffed around the clock with board-certified neonatologists, a team of specially trained neonatal nurse practitioners, and immediate access to subspecialties from the Cleveland Clinic’s Children’s Hospital such as pediatric cardiology, neurology and ophthalmology, the new NICU features an open design with each baby in his or her own private room. This design provides a peaceful, healing environment that addresses the medical, developmental, educational and emotional needs of infants, families and staff.
To model the comforts of home, parents will have access to a family room equipped with a kitchen, library, computers, play rooms for siblings, and washer and dryer. There are also two overnight rooms for families that are furnished with hotel-like accommodations and four special rooms for parents with multiple births.
New equipment includes specialized high-frequency ventilators that help babies breathe and advanced computer software that can synchronize the baby’s breath with the machine itself. Also, state-of-the-art communications, such as a hands-free, voice recognition badge system, allows neonatologists, nurses and other staff members to monitor and care for highly sensitive babies. All material in the new facility was designed for special patient care, including low lighting, and fabrics and flooring that absorb sound to maintain low noise levels.
About Hillcrest Hospital
Hillcrest Hospital, one of Cleveland Clinic’s nine community hospitals, is a full-service, 496-bed hospital that serves the medical needs of Mayfield Heights and the surrounding communities, including Lake, Geauga and Summit counties. The hospital has recently completed a $163 million expansion and renovation project that includes state-of-the-art facilities with major infrastructure and technology improvements. Hillcrest offers comprehensive cardiovascular services including cardiothoracic surgery under the direction of Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Services also include a full range of cancer care, including medical, radiation and GYN oncology provided by Cleveland Clinic staff. Hillcrest delivers more babies than any other east-side community hospital, and babies with special needs are cared for in the Level III NICU. The hospital also features a pediatric emergency room and is a Level II Trauma Center.
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. It was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. In 2009, there were more than 4.6 million visits throughout the Cleveland Clinic health system and 170,000 hospital admissions.
Media Contacts
Joe Milicia, milicij2@ccf.org, 216.636.5873
Angie Smith, smitha19@ccf.org, 216.445.0265