ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital project will bring private patient rooms to the neonatal intensive care unit

ProHealth Care has begun an 18-month construction project designed to enhance birthing and neonatal intensive care on the third floor of ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital. The project will be completed in phases through the spring 2024.

The redesign of ProHealth Care’s neonatal intensive care unit will include a welcoming entry to the birthing and neonatal and intensive care units, warm colors, and large, lighted panels to evoke feelings of joy and calm.

Most notably, the neonatal intensive care unit will transition from an open floor plan with patient isolettes to one that features private single and double patient rooms. Each patient room will have an isolette, private space for families, and space for medical equipment and patient care. Convertible furniture will allow a family member to stay overnight.

Overall, the unit design includes:

• Sixteen patient rooms, with three rooms for twins.
• Two patient isolation rooms with features to protect against airborne contagions.
• A nurse station at the center of the unit, allowing quick access to every room.
• Windows in patient rooms to allow staff to observe patients in their isolettes from the nurse station.
• Lighting and noise control within each room.
• Webcams to allow family members to observe their babies remotely.
• A family lounge with a kitchenette and private showers.
• Work stations outside every pair of patient rooms.
  
  

Research has shown that patient outcomes improve significantly when families spend more time with their infants in private rooms. Patients’ family members visit more often and stay longer, have more interaction with the care team, learn more about their baby and the baby’s care, and become more integral to the patient’s care plan.

A number of health benefits have been identified for the babies who receive care in neonatal intensive care units with private rooms, including decreases in infections, sepsis, bronchial and pulmonary issues, apnea, stress, pain, length of stay and mortality. Additional benefits include increases in rates of breastfeeding, weight gain, nutrition, sleep, muscle tone, attention, and neurological and language development.

“Growing and healing in a quiet environment with loved ones can be monumental for the babies,” said Andy Rohloff, Waukesha Memorial’s neonatal intensive care unit manager. “More family visitation also creates a more well-rounded experience for the entire family, not just the baby, and that maximizes patient care and outcomes.”

The design also includes the addition of two large C-section suites near the hospital’s birthing unit. The surgical suites will add 2,300 square feet of space and feature state-of-the-art lighting and equipment. An existing post-surgical recovery room also will be updated with advanced equipment for optimal delivery of care.

For more information about pregnancy and birth care, visit ProHealthCare.org/Pregnancy.