Neonatology
Everyone expects to have a healthy baby. But sometimes a baby is born early or has other health problems. This can mean the baby needs extra care. That's why Lourdes Health System has specially trained team of doctors, nurses and support staff to help these children get the best start in life.
Lourdes is the regional leader in southern New Jersey for neonatal care. We provide services at both Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden and Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in Willingboro.
Neonatology at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center
As a Regional Perinatal Center, Lourdes is fully equipped to handle all high-risk pregnancies. Established 27 years ago, our Level III Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) cares for 400 babies a year. The team in the ICN cares for babies that are born extremely premature. The ICN has the highest level of care available in New Jersey for sick newborns as well as the equipment and staff necessary for their care.The ICN offers wide array of services to help babies and their families, including:
- 24-hour nursery coverage by neonatologists, pediatricians and nurses;
- Access to pediatric specialists in cardiology, pulmonology, surgery, neurology and genetics;
- Treatments to help babies breath and build up their lungs;
- Genetic and prenatal counseling for high-risk mothers or mothers who have a history of premature delivery and/or medical problems;
- A "nesting room" for families to spend time with the newborn outside of the nursery;
- "Kangaroo Care," a way to help parents and premature babies bond;
- 24-hour visitation for parents and grandparents. Liberal visiting policy for other family members;
- Follow-up visits with your baby for two years following delivery;
Neonatology at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County
Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County is a Level II Special Care Nursery. It provides services for premature babies born at or after 32 weeks. It also cares for full-term babies with health problems.The Special Care Nursery at Lourdes Burlington County includes:
- 24-hour nursery coverage by neonatologists, pediatricians and nurses;
- 24-hour visitation for parents and grandparents. Liberal visiting policy for other family members;
- Prenatal care;
- Private entrance with convenient free parking;
- If needed, rapid transfer to the Intensive Care Unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.
Maternal Transport Service
Should there be an emergency, Lourdes Maternal Transport Service provides rapid transport for Moms and babies. This service was the first of its kind in New Jersey. It is staffed by experienced obstetrical nurses. Lourdes transports patients from all hospitals in southern New Jersey to our Regional Perinatal Center at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.Our Staff
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center Neonatal Associates provides 24-hour, in-hospital care at both our Camden and Willingboro facilities.The doctors in this group include nine neonatologists, seven pediatricians and two nurse practitioners. SJ Magazine and South Jersey Magazine have named several members of the team among the top doctors in southern New Jersey. Our team is dedicated to the care of newborns and high-risk infants. Our doctors provide consultation to Level I, II and III programs throughout southern New Jersey. They have also been a resource for doctors across the nation and internationally as well. Together with our specially trained nurses (many certified in neonatal care) we provide expert, compassionate care to babies and their families.
Wellness Support for Moms and Babies
Lourdes and its Wellness Center provide a wide variety of programs for the entire family to promote health for everyone. We offer programs in infant massage, parenting, sibling classes, exercise, lactation, stress reduction, acupuncture, yoga, among others. At Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, our staff also includes a holistic nurse available in our Mother Baby Unit. To learn more, contact the Lourdes Wellness Center at 856-869-3125.Location
The ICN is located on the Mother/Baby Unit on the fourth floor at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center at 1600 Haddon Avenue in Camden.The Special Care Nursery is located on the Mother/Baby Unit which is on the ground floor at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, 218A Sunset Road in Willingboro. Follow signs for private entrance in rear of the campus.
*Parking is free at both hospitals for parents and family members of infants.
Contact:
Lourdes Neonatology staff and resources may be reached at the following telephone numbers:- Lourdes Neonatal Associates at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center,
Camden
- 856-757-3988 (regular business hours)
- 856-757-3650 Intensive Care Nursery (evening hours)
- 856-757-3923 High-Risk Follow Up
- Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County
- 609-835-3199
Lourdes Pioneers Neonatal Care
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center has been a pioneer in neonatal care since 1960, when the hospital purchased the world's smallest resuscitator for newborns. Since then, Lourdes has continued in a tradition of advancing neonatal care. The following are a few highlights:- Lourdes was one of the first hospitals in the United States to save a baby weighing less than 1 pound. When this baby, Christy Andrews, was born in 1988, she weighed less than 16 ounces and measured only 10 inches, and at the time was the smallest baby ever to survive in New Jersey.
- Lourdes Health System was the first in the state to offer a Maternal and Infant Transport Service. A physician, nurse and respiratory therapist generally participate in transports from all southern New Jersey hospitals to Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.
- Through a relationship with Wills Eye Hospital, Lourdes was the first hospital in the United States to offer laser eye surgery for babies who might otherwise be blind. These procedures are performed at the bedside at Lourdes.
- Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center was the first hospital in South Jersey to use nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) to assist babies with Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
- Lourdes was the first hospital in southern New Jersey to provide Surfactant replacement for premature infants with Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
- Lourdes was one of the first hospitals in the nation to use bar coding technology on bracelets for premature infants. The bar code scanning system makes sure the babies receive the right medication, at the right time, in the right dose.
- As part of a regional training center for nurse practitioners, Lourdes provides a number of opportunities for health-care providers to enhance their skills. One of the most popular programs is "Preemie for a Day," held this year in Lourdes' new School of Nursing. A capacity crowd of more than 70 professionals from across the region attended this year's seminar.
