Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU)

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides comprehensive, specialized care for babies born prematurely or critically ill and who require intensive support.

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About
Parents and families are integral to the care of their baby while in our unit. We have designed single-family rooms to support patient-and-family integrated care.  

We admit babies to the NICU from community hospitals or other BC Women’s Hospital units.  Our care teams work in collaboration with other NICUs across the province to make sure babies receive the right level of care at the hospital closest to home. We make every effort to keep babies and their families together, when possible.

Referral overview 

Patients need a referral from a health care provider to access care at the NICU. If you are a health care provider requesting a patient admission to NICU, contact the neonatologist on-call via the Patient Transfer Service: 604-215-5911 (toll free: 1-866-233-2337).

Contact us 

Our hours of service are 24 hours, seven days a week.  

Entrance #53
2nd floor, Teck Acute Care Centre
880 West 28th Ave. 
Vancouver, BC
V5Z 4H4

Phone: 604-875-2136  
Your stay

We value your role in caring for your baby. Talk with your baby’s nurse about ways you can take part in your baby’s care. If you are away from the NICU, you can call your baby’s nurse any time for an update.

Join morning rounds 

As a partner in your baby's care, you are welcome to join morning rounds at your baby's bedside. Rounds are when the medical staff come to the bedside to check on your baby's progress.
  • If you have questions or concerns, ask the nurse or doctor to explain 
  • You may want to write down your questions and the answers you receive 

​Safety in the NICU 

The NICU is a secured unit. We limit access to NICU staff, parents, caregivers and approved visitors. We have some general guidance to ensure the safety of patients and providers, including:
  • Do not visit if you are feeling unwell (e.g. fever, cough, sore throat, upset stomach)
  • Wash your hands before entering the NICU. Please remove coats, jackets, watches, jewellery and nail polish. Clean your hands up to your elbows with soap and warm water or use the alcohol foam hand rubs found at each bedside 
  • All visitors must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver of a NICU patient. Please plan to meet your visitor outside the unit, review and perform hand hygiene and then bring them to your baby’s room 
  • Siblings under 12 years old are welcome but must complete a brief health screening each day before entering. Other visitors under 12 years old are not permitted 
  • The NICU is a scent-free environment 
  • Flowers, balloons and plush toys are not permitted in the NICU ​
Family resources

Please find below some helpful documents to assist you during your baby’s stay in the NICU. If you have questions or concerns, please speak to a member of your baby’s care team. 

Videos

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