NICU
The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides critical care to newborns who are ill or premature. Many factors may lead to a newborn being admitted to the NICU, including low birth weight or complications during delivery. The NICU staff works closely with parents to develop a treatment plan for their newborn.
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in San Antonio
We believe you shouldn’t have to travel far to get specialized treatment for your newborn.
At Methodist Hospital Metropolitan, our 24/7 Level IIII NICU is staffed by board-certified neonatologists and specially trained nurse practitioners who stay by your side through delivery and treatment, doing everything possible to help your little one grow stronger and healthier.
Conditions treated in our NICU
As a Level III NICU, Methodist Hospital Metropolitan has around-the-clock access to neonatologists and nurses who specialize in treating critically ill newborns. We care for high-risk conditions, including:
- Congenital heart disease
- Infant hypoglycemia
- Premature birth (preemies)
- Severe respiratory distress
NICU services at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan
If your child needs care in our NICU, we do everything possible to help your baby thrive. Our team of NICU nurses and neonatologists have access to all of the latest treatments and technology to make sure we’re providing the best possible care.
Our NICU includes:
- 24/7 care with in-house neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners and lactation consultants
- Advanced radiology tools to help with more accurate diagnoses
- Genetic testing
- Life support
- Mechanical ventilators
- Neonatal teams available to help with high-risk deliveries
- Nutrition and dietary management
- Respiratory therapy
- Safe sleep education
As part of the Methodist Healthcare family, your baby will also have access to the Level IV NICU at Methodist Children’s Hospital. This NICU provides expert care for the most critically ill newborns. With 94 beds and more than 150 registered nurses, the Methodist Children’s Hospital NICU is also the largest in San Antonio.
Neonatal specialists
No matter what health problems your baby may be facing, our team has a specialist who can help. These neonatal subspecialists work alongside our neonatologists and NICU nurses to provide complete care tailored to your baby’s needs.
Our neonatal subspecialists include:
- Cardiologists
- Cardiothoracic surgeons
- Gastroenterologists
- Neurologists
- Nutritionists
- Ophthalmologists
- Pathologists
- Pulmonologists
- Radiologists
- Respiratory therapists
- Urologists
Specialty transport teams
If your newborn needs transport to the Level IV NICU at Methodist Children’s Hospital, they will be in the expert hands of our neonatal transport team. Each member of this team is an experienced critical care provider with training in pediatric life support.
For certain high-risk pregnancies, our team can also provide maternal-fetal transport to Methodist Children’s Hospital. The maternal transport team includes highly skilled obstetrics nurses and a paramedic.
Our critical care transport teams stay in contact with Methodist Children’s Hospital medical control at all times. Transport options include medical flights and ambulances.
Once your baby has graduated from the Level IV NICU, we can also provide safe transport back to the NICU at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan. The Methodist Children’s Hospital neonatologists will collaborate with your team at Methodist Hospital Metropolitan until your baby is ready to go home.
Accreditations
Our facility is recognized by various organizations for our commitment to delivering excellent patient care:
- Designated as a Level III NICU Facility
- Cribs for Kids National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification, Bronze Safe Sleep Champion
Visiting Methodist Hospital Metropolitan NICU
Our NICU is located in the Methodist Hospital Women’s Pavilion located on the Methodist Hospital Metropolitan campus. Visitors may park in the parking structure next to the Women’s Pavilion. We are a closed unit. When you enter the Women's Pavilion, our security team will provide a visitor sticker upon check-in.