San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (2024)

It's care that works for you. Find out about convenient care options for Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) Services in San Francisco at Sutter Health. We're taking extra precautions every day to help keep patients, staff and providers safe.

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (1)

Delivering Loving Critical Care to Our Tiniest Patients

At Sutter’s nine NICUs, we provide specialized medical care and the latest in technology to babies born prematurely or with serious health conditions. Our locations are designed to provide family centered care, where parents are welcomed into the unit to participate in the treatment plan of their babies.

Our care for your infant doesn’t stop once you are discharged from the NICU. We offer aHigh-Risk Infant Follow-Up Program that supports your baby’s healthy growth and development and provides ongoing support and education programs for you. Each year, many of our NICUs hold popular reunions for families and their NICU care teams.

Patient Stories

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (2)

Baby Born at 27 Weeks Spends 100 Days in NICU

Savion spent 100 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at California Pacific Medical Center.

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (3)

A NICU Survivor’s Homecoming

Aspiring neonatal nurse revisits care team that saved her.

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (4)

Couple Surprised by Twins Gets Ready with Multiple Births Program

Teresa and Adam felt overwhelmed when they learned twins were on the way, but Sutter's Mothers of Multiples Program had their backs.

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (5)

'Super' Sam is a NICU Miracle

Baby Sam was born by emergency C-section at 1 pound, 12 ounces and would spend the next 95 days in the NICU. But today he is happy and healthy.

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (6)

Kate Bernal-Hafner | Healthy Baby, Grateful Parent

The Hafner family shares their story of compassionate care in the Level 3 NICU at Sutter Santa Rosa Hospital.

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (7)

Kille Family: From High-Risk Birth to Healthy Baby

The road to parenthood wasn’t smooth for the Killes. Thanks to care from Sutter’s high-risk maternity and NICU teams, mom and baby are thriving.

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (8)

Preemie Goes Home after 137 Days in Hospital

Born prematurely at 23 weeks, Ellie's chances of survival were slim. But doctors at Sutter Children's Center never gave up on her.

View All Stories

Genetics Research

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (9)

Genetics studies the genes and DNA coding that each person inherits from their parents and how these genes can lead to disease or better health. Some inherited genes cause diseases such as Tay-Sachs or sickle cell anemia, while mutations in genes can cause genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome. However, doctors also use genetics to understand which treatments may work best for an individual.

Sutter Health Genetics Research Sutter Health Genetics Research

San Francisco Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) (2024)

FAQs

What level NICU does UCSF have? ›

As certified level IV regional NICUs, they both are capable of providing all levels of newborn care, from basic to most intensive, and draw patients from across the region. Our San Francisco location, the William H.

What is the difference between Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and NICU? ›

Both the NICU and ICU care for critically ill patients, but the NICU is designed to care for newborn babies, whereas the ICU is intended for adults. This results in differences in beds and equipment, along with supervision since newborn babies cannot verbally express their discomfort while adult patients can.

How long do you stay in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit? ›

NICU stands for "neonatal intensive care unit." There, babies get around-the-clock care from a team of experts. Most of these babies go to the NICU (NIK-yoo) within 24 hours of birth. How long they stay depends on their health condition. Some babies stay only a few hours or days; others stay weeks or months.

What is the highest level of NICU care? ›

Level IV (four) NICUs offer the highest level of medical care for newborns and premature infants available. These facilities are equipped to care for the most complex neonatal conditions and the sickest and smallest newborns, no matter their gestational age at birth.

What makes a level 4 NICU? ›

A level IV NICU designation must meet all level III capabilities, plus have the ability to care for infants born earlier than 32 weeks gestation and weighing less than 1,500 grams, provide life support, perform advanced imaging including MRI and echocardiography, and provide a full range of respiratory support, among ...

How many level 4 NICUs are in the US? ›

There were a total of 35,601 NICU beds (5,592 Level II, 20,631 Level III, and 9378 Level IV). See Fig. 2 for the distribution of NICU beds according to state and number of beds normalized to population density (beds per number of people by 0.1 square miles).

What is the golden hour of neonatal ICU? ›

Abstract. “Golden Hour” of neonatal life is defined as the first hour of post-natal life in both preterm and term neonates. This concept in neonatology has been adopted from adult trauma where the initial first hour of trauma management is considered as golden hour.

Can parents sleep in the NICU? ›

You may not be able to spend as much time as you'd like with your baby. If you don't live close to the NICU, ask the staff about free or low-cost hotels in the area for NICU parents. And some NICUs have rooms for parents to sleep in.

What is the number one cause of neonatal ICU admission? ›

Prematurity. Babies born early (less than 37 completed weeks) is the most common reason for a NICU admission. Premature babies aren't quite physically and developmentally developed and are unable to transition to the outside environment as well as full-term babies.

What is the weight cut off for NICU? ›

Baby factors include: Baby born at gestational age of less than 37 weeks or more than 42 weeks. Birth weight less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces (2,500 grams) or over 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams)

Can I discharge my baby from the NICU? ›

Can you discharge your child from the NICU? You have the legal right to sign your child out of the hospital and refuse further treatment. But this is considered discharge against medical advice. If doctors believe it is in your baby's best interest to stay, they may get Child Protection Services involved.

Is level 2 or 3 NICU better? ›

Level III NICUs are the next level of neonatal intensive care after Level II. In addition to the layers required of a Level II NICU, they are required to have pediatric surgeons, pediatric medical sub specialists, pediatric anesthesiologists and pediatric ophthalmologists.

What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 3 NICU? ›

Level 1 and 2 NICUs are designed to provide basic care for newborns with conditions that are expected to resolve without need for subspecialty care. To be designated a level 3 NICU, the unit must offer prompt and readily available access to a full range of pediatric medical subspecialties.

How much do NICU nurses make in UCSF? ›

How much does a Registered Nurse - NICU make at UCSF Health in the United States? The estimated average pay for Registered Nurse - NICU at this company in the United States is $90,650 per year, which is 20% above the national average.

What level NICU is Stanford children's? ›

LEVEL IV NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (NICU): With a Neuro NICU and ECMO program our 40-bed NICU provides nationally-recognized, family-centered care for critically ill newborns with complex care needs.

Is UCLA a level 4 NICU? ›

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a 22 ICU beds unit that are regional level III/IV beds.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6038

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.