Possible NICU Procedures

Due to the emergent nature of your baby’s condition, the following procedures and/or treatments may be necessary before, during, or after arrival to our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach.

• Use of ventilator or breathing-assist device - Your baby may require help with his/her breathing in order to maintain oxygen supply to vital organs and reduce carbon dioxide.
• Use of oxygen - Your child may need high levels of oxygen as part of his/her condition.
• Placement of a chest tube - A plastic tube may need to be inserted through your baby’s chest wall should a severe lung collapse (pneumothorax) occur.
• Placement of umbilical vessel catheters - Your baby may require monitoring of his/her blood pressure, oxygen levels and frequent testing of blood samples for lab tests.
• Placement of PICC Lines - A PICC line is a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line). It is an alternative to repeated IV punctures that involves installing a line that stays in the vein until treatment is completed.
• Lumbar puncture - If your baby is suspected of having an infection of the lining around the brain (called meningitis), then a procedure is needed to sample CSF fluid. This involves the placement of a small needle through the skin between the bones of the lower back. The CSF fluid is then removed to check for germs.

Your baby’s doctor or nurse is available to answer any questions that you may have regarding the medical treatment that your baby needs at anytime during his/her hospitalization. Please make a note of things or explanations that you don’t understand so that our NICU staff can assist you to the best of our ability and give you any further explanation if needed.