Northside Hospital - Special Beginnings

Your Baby’s Health Care Team

WHO’S WHO ON THE SCN HEALTH CARE TEAM While in the SCN, your baby will have many essential caregivers, all specializing in the work they do. Some of these caregivers include:

Developmental Rehabilitation: A team made up of a physical therapist, occupational therapist and/or speech therapist. These professionals are available for babies with special developmental and medical needs as identified by the medical team. Care Coordination: A Care Coordinator will follow your baby while in the SCN. Typically, she will contact you within 7 days after your baby is born to offer resource information, guidance and support. She will assist with discharge planning needs and keep in touch with your insurance company until your baby goes home. You may reach a Care Coordinator by calling: Atlanta.....................................................................404-851-6886 Forsyth......................................................................770-292-2243 Cherokee................................................................ 770-224-1809 Registered Nurse (RN): A nurse, licensed by the state of Georgia, that works closely with the neonatologist, and you, in planning your baby’s care. A RN will coordinate the day-to-day care by monitoring your baby closely, directing feedings and giving medications. There are numerous nurses in the SCN and your baby will receive care from different nurses depending on the shift and day. Lactation Consultant: Lactation consultants are health care professionals with special training and experience in helping breastfeeding mothers and babies. Volunteer: Adjunct support for assisting staff, parents and family in meeting the infant’s needs to be held, rocked, consoled and fed. The volunteers receive specialized education to work with the SCN population.

Parents: Your baby’s most important caregiver.

Neonatologist: A physician with advanced and specialized training in the care of sick newborns and premature infants. The neonatologist will oversee your baby’s care while in the SCN. Pediatrician: A physician specializing in the health care of infants and children. Your baby will need to see the pediatrician you select within a week after going home from SCN. Consulting Physician: A physician specializing in a particular area of medicine such as heart, lungs, bowels, eyes, brain and infections. Occasionally, we may call such a specialist to lend his/her expertise in the care of your baby. Nurse Practitioner: A licensed, advance practice, registered nurse who works together with the neonatologist to diagnose and treat illness. Pharmacist: The pharmacists in the SCN, experienced in neonatal medicine, review, monitor and dispense the medications ordered by your baby’s providers. Audiologist: A licensed medical professional who specializes in hearing assessment. Your baby may have a hearing screen before going home. Respiratory Therapist (RT): A licensed health care practitioner trained in respiratory care that works closely with the neonatologist in managing your baby’s respiratory needs and monitoring the equipment used in the healing process. Dietitian: Registered dietitians specialize in the nutritional well-being of preterm and term infants. The dietitian works closely with the neonatologist to provide optimal nutrition to promote adequate growth and development for your baby.

Special Beginnings in the Special Care Nurseries

5