NICU

The academic division of Neonatology at UCSD has experienced a very challenging and productive year. We completed our planned expansion and have opened nine additional beds in the summer, but these have been opened only intermittently, as the census decreased. We have expanded our Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Program and currently have approximately 4.3 FTE Neonatal Nurse Practitioners which has facilitated the provision of ongoing care, especially during the weekends.

We underwent a review by the ACGME of our Neonatal Training Program and received a full five-year accreditation, as well as a commendation for an overall excellent program. Dr Tina Leone will assume the responsibilities of Fellowship Program Director in 2009.

New Born Unit

Drs. Lisa Stellwagen, Eustratia (Tia) Hubbard, and Michelle Leff comprise the attending pediatric staff of the Newborn Unit of Neonatology at UCSD. Healthy infants and those with medical issues not requiring monitoring are cared for in a family centered environment on the Family Maternity Care Center and Birth Center. Each day, the attending pediatrician, pediatric nurse practitioner, pediatric (and med-peds) interns, and third year medical students provide medical care for the babies on the pediatric newborn service (95% of newborns at UCSD). All infants room-in with their mothers, and all medical and nursing care is provided in the family room. The hospital is Baby Friendly, so that up to date lactation support is provided, and 94% of babies are breastfed. Phototherapy and IV antibiotics are provided for low risk babies. High risk infants such as: late preterm, growth restricted, Down syndrome, cleft lip and palate infants are all cared for in this setting with close attention by the nursing/medical/pediatric consultant teams.