Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has received Level II designation from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), part of Texas Health and Human Services, as a special care nursery for newborns.
This is especially comforting to growing families who are expecting new additions and prefer to stay close to home for their deliveries. Level II NICUs have the capability to care for newborns and infants generally born at 32 weeks’ gestation or older who are at risk or suffer from serious illnesses related to pre-term birth or complications during birth.
“This designation means Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital has the staff, affiliated physicians, processes and other resources in place to provide specialty care close to home for most newborns who require specialty care,” said Ann Szapor, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights. “We’re also fully staffed and capable of stabilizing and transferring babies who may need a higher level of care, or receiving newborns who are stepping down from a higher level of care.”
Connecting Newborns to a Network of Advanced Care
The Memorial Hermann Greater Heights 12-bed NICU recently underwent a complete renovation and is one of five Level II NICUs in Memorial Hermann Health System. If a higher level of neonatal care is needed, the hospital also has direct access to four Level III NICUs and the Level IV NICU at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital located at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
“Our goal is to deliver high-quality, excellent care for our smallest patients and get them home, healthy and with their families as soon as possible,” said Brenda McIntyre, M.D., Medical Director for the hospital’s NICU. “We constantly monitor our processes and outcomes to ensure we are providing the best care possible for our most vulnerable patients in the NICU.”
Hospitals in Texas undergo a vigorous survey and application process to earn a state-mandated NICU designation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) conducted a thorough site survey of Memorial Hermann Greater Heights’ staff and hospital practices before recommending designation to DSHS.
Memorial Hermann Greater Heights delivers more than 1,000 babies each year and provides access to obstetricians, specially trained respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, lactation consultants and nurse practitioners at its state-of-the-art 30-bed Family Birthing Center. It is also one of 10 Memorial Hermann hospitals designated as a Texas Ten Step facility for breastfeeding best practices.
One of the Top Hospitals in Texas
The hospital earned recognition by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top hospitals in Texas in 2018 and is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program for excellence in nursing care.
To find a physician or to schedule a tour of the Family Birthing Center at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights, call 713-222-CARE.
Leave a Reply