For NICU Parents and Visitors

Visiting and Calling the NICU

Parents: The NICU is open to parents 24 hours a day

Parents may call the NICU any time*, day or night, to get information about their baby’s condition:

  • From inside Sacred Heart: Call 6916
  • From outside Sacred Heart (local call): Call (541) 222-6916
  • From outside Sacred Heart (long distance, toll-free): Call (800) 925-5962

*Please avoid calling during shift changes, when nurses consult with one another about your baby’s care:

  • 7 to 7:30 a.m.
  • 3 to 3:30 p.m.
  • 11 to 11:30 p.m.

Visitors: Relatives and friends may visit your baby. They are asked to follow these guidelines

  • Avoid visiting during shift changes (see times above).
  • At least one of the baby’s parents must be present.
  • No more than three people (including the parent) may visit at a time.
  • All visitors must scrub their hands for three minutes, according to directions from NICU staff, before each visit. This careful hand-washing is necessary to protect our infants from infection.

Lockers are provided for extra belongings. You must bring your own padlock.

Resources for NICU Parents

We know it is difficult to be separated from your newborn. Our expert NICU staff specializes in family-centered care of critically ill infants. They can assist you with a variety of needs, such as:

  • Connecting with support groups and other community resources
  • Finding a place to stay
  • Financial counseling
  • Getting a breast pump
  • Parenting classes and assistance

For additional information, call NICU Social Workers at (541) 222-6965

Spiritual and Emotional Concerns

Chaplains are available to help NICU parents. They may provide pastoral counseling, family support, advocacy, crisis intervention, and prayer services, depending on the needs of the individual and the family. They can be reached at (541) 222-7402. Learn more.

Breastfeeding Support

Certified lactation consultants are nurses specially trained to help mothers successfully breastfeed. They are available every day to assist mothers in the NICU who need help with breastfeeding. Lactation Services can be reached at (541) 222-3922. Learn more.

Transporting Babies

If your baby was born prematurely or is ill, he or she may need care at Sacred Heart’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Your baby will be transported in a special Neonatal Mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulance. It was specially designed to give medically fragile infants immediate care. It can transport two babies at a time in two complete NICU isolettes (secure, comfortable, temperature-controlled enclosures for newborns).

A Transport Team is on call 24 hours a day to pick up and continuously care for babies on their way to Sacred Heart’s NICU. Team members are specially trained registered nurses and respiratory therapists. Well over 100 babies are transported to Sacred Heart’s NICU from other area hospitals every year.

Our current ambulance went into service in 2009. It was purchased entirely with donations from the community. Transport Team members designed the transport to assure the safest possible transportation of babies to and from Sacred Heart. The vehicle can accommodate two babies and four caregivers at once. It was designed to enable caregivers to care for their patients and access necessary equipment while leaving their seat belts fastened. The vehicle is also shorter and quieter than the previous model, offering a smoother ride for the critically ill babies being cared for on board.