Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Charles
Quality Care for the Youngest Babies
Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Bend provides specialized medical care for premature and sick babies with all levels of complications. Our NICU operates at Level III status, serving infants at all stages of gestational development.
As the only designated NICU in the region, we care for fragile newborns nearby, as well as babies transferred from other hospitals across Central and Eastern Oregon by the neonatal flight team with AirLink.
Advanced Technology
We've created an environment to promote a baby's growth and development, including
- Circadian lighting that adjusts for a baby's day and night sleep cycles
- "Giraffe" beds that create a womb like environment with temperature and humidity controlled for premature babies, and include built-in scales.
Specialized Team
Our neonatal team is managed by board-certified neonatologist, Dr. John Evered, M.D. Around-the-clock care is provided by Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, nurses and caregivers trained to care for premature and sick babies. Pediatricians, respiratory therapists, social workers, and audiologists are always available to provide specialized care, as is a chaplain to provide spiritual support.
Family-Centered Care
We support families during this tender time by making the NICU an oasis of comfort:
- Private and semi-private rooms allow for quiet bonding time.
- Innovative beds allow babies in incubators to be touched.
- Necessary respite is available in a warm and soothing family waiting area.
- Families may stay overnight at the NICU with access to a refrigerator for storing breast milk.
The Ronald McDonald House located next to the St. Charles Bend campus also provides a place for families to stay while their babies are being loved at our NICU.