Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a neonatologist?
A: Neonatologists are pediatricians with three additional years of training focused
on the care of critically ill newborns.
A: Your neonatologist, neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs), pediatricians and specially-trained nurses have advanced training to provide care for critically ill babies. In the event that your baby needs surgery, our pediatric surgeon can evaluate your baby. Whenever possible we prefer to treat your baby at PVH but for certain surgical cases, your baby may need to be treated at Children's Hospital in Denver. Our certified lactation counselors, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists are also an essential part of your baby's care team.
Q: Are there visiting hours in the NICU?
A: Parents may visit their baby at any time and stay as long as they like. PVH also offers sleep rooms to families so they can stay in the hospital overnight, just around the corner from baby. They are made available on a first come, first serve basis. Be sure to review the guidelines for visiting babies in the NICU.
Q: What is a Level IIIa nursery*?
A: This designation means that the most critically ill infants, born as young as 28 weeks gestation, can be cared for at PVH. We are fortunate to have one of the state's top nurseries right here in northern Colorado. PVH has received official designation as a Level III a nursery* from the Colorado Perinatal Care Council - the state advisory group charged with establishing guidelines for obstetric and newborn care. PVH is the
only hospital between the Denver area and Billings, Montana to hold a high-level designation of this nature.
* Under Colorado Perinatal Care Council guidelines, Level I nurseries care for well infants; Level II nurseries care for moderately premature infants; Level III a nurseries care for critically ill infants and those born at 28 weeks gestation or older; and Level III b and III c nurseries care for critically ill infants requiring complex cardiac and surgical care.
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