Home WELLNESS EAT SMART Ochsner Opens Kenner’s Only Well-Baby Nursery and Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery

Ochsner Opens Kenner’s Only Well-Baby Nursery and Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery

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Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner Begins Delivering Babies

NOL Oct07_MedRes_Page_18_Image_0002.jpgOchsner Health System welcomes a new addition to the family! For over 70,000 Kenner residents, obstetrical care is now closer to home as Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner opens the City of Kenner’s only Well- Baby Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“Obstetrical Units in the greater New Orleans region have been delivering a record number of babies. This increased demand for obstetrical care, and the lack of newborn care in Kenner, prompted us to bring these services back to Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner,” says Dr. Alfred Robichaux, M.D., Ochsner Health System, Chairman of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Robichaux goes on to say that, “we anticipate delivering up to 125 babies by years end and a considerable increase to 700 babies by end of 2008.”

Prior to Hurricane Katrina and Ochsner ownership, the Kenner hospital offered both obstetrical care and a Level II-NICU. This opening is a return of services “with an increased safety net of care,” says Dr. Harley Ginsberg, M.D., Neonatologist and Ochsner Health System NICU Medical Director.

“Our Level II-NICU is unique from any other in the region because it provides 24/7-care by Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NNP). Should your baby need extra attention, an NNP is available and able to perform nearly all of the same procedures that neonatologists would provide. These highly trained nurses are taught to be autonomous and are solely dedicated to caring for these infants’ special needs,” explains Ginsberg.

“Providing NNP care in a Level II-NICU is not required by state law. We feel adding NNPs to the unit will provide another level of care and add to the comfort level of parents and pediatricians,” says Robichaux. In addition to NNP care, staffing will include registered nurses and support by Ochsner neonatologists.

One in eight babies is born prematurely, and according to Louisiana state guidelines, a Level II-NICU is for infants 3.3 lbs or bigger, or older than 32 weeks and require less than 24 hours on ventilation. “Should an infant require more intensive care, Ochsner is licensed to transport babies to Ochsner’s Level III- Regional NICU located at 1514 Jefferson Highway,” explains Dr. Robichaux.

Ochsner Health System (www.ochsner.org) is a non-profit, academic, multi-specialty, healthcare delivery system dedicated to patient care, research and education. The system includes seven hospitals, a sub-acute facility, and 32 health centers located throughout Southeast Louisiana.