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 5100
  • From outside Sacred Heart (local call): Call (541) 222-5100
  • 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.

Guidelines for Visitors

  • At least one of the baby’s parents must be present.
  • Please check with the caregivers in the NICU about our current visiting guidelines.
  • All visitors must scrub their hands, according to directions from NICU staff and clean their cell phone with an alcohol wipe, before each visit. This careful hand-washing and cell phone cleaning is necessary to protect our infants from infection.
  • We ask that you do not visit the NICU if you are not feeling well.

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. Please contact a NICU caregiver with your request and they will contact a chaplain on your behalf. 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. Learn more.

Transporting Babies

If your baby is 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). It can accommodate five caregivers in the back, with the caregivers able to care for their patients and access necessary equipment while leaving their seat belts fastened.

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.