Neonatal Care
There’s a reason that St. Francis is the #1 choice of new moms in the Upstate.
In addition to outstanding obstetrical services and unparalleled amenities, we offer 24/7 neonatal care in our Level II Neonatal Care Unit (NCU). Most
babies will never need the NCU. In fact, less than 10 percent require special
care at birth. You can find comfort knowing that St. Francis is fully equipped
with everything it takes to do what’s best for your baby.
Special Care for Special Babies
But the NCU is not just for preemies; we also care for full-term infants who have unexpected needs, like oxygen therapy or infection treatment. Our NCU is fully equipped to handle these difficulties, with treatments including:
- Resuscitation
- Oxygen therapy and respiratory monitoring
- Short-term breathing assistance
- Intravenous therapies
- Special nutrition with the use of breast milk
Neonatal Care Team
John McKay, MD, FAAP is the Medical Director of Neonatology at St. Francis. He completed a fellowship in Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine at the University of Kentucky. Dr. McKay has over 25 years of experience in neonatology and he is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics.
The Neonatal Care Team also includes neonatal nurse practitioners with an average experience level of more than 17 years. Our nursing staff is specially-trained in treating both sick and well babies, and our respiratory therapists have clinical expertise in newborns.
Family Philosophy
At St. Francis, we encourage our infants’ families to visit as much as possible. The Neonatal Care Unit is located on the same floor as all our labor and delivery and mother/infant suites, so if your baby is in need of neonatal care, he or she will always be close by while you’re in the hospital.
As part of our focus on family, the NCU also promotes “kangaroo care,” a therapy that encourages skin-to-skin contact between the infant and parent to promote bonding between parent and child, and to help regulate baby’s breathing and heart rate.
