INDUSTRY NEWS
Baylor University Medical Center Earns Level IV Neonatal Facility Designation
Hospital also designated as Level IV Maternal Care Center , state ’ s highest designation for comprehensive maternal and neonatal care
6 t ’ s big news that will help the tiniest of patients : Baylor University Medical Center ( BUMC ) has earned designation as a Level IV Neonatal Facility from the Texas Department of State Health Services for offering the highest level of care for newborns .
“ It ’ s an honor to be recognized for our ability to care for some of the tiniest newborns ,” said Kayla Carey , RN , BSN , NE-BC , NICU nurse manager at BUMC . “ We remain focused on advancing care for patients with specialty-trained staff , availability of services , advanced equipment and protocols and familycentered care .”
BUMC was awarded the designation after an extensive survey of the robust multidisciplinary team , medical staff and facilities that provide perinatal services for neonatal patients and families .
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ( NICU ) team at BUMC cares for a variety of neonates , from newborns to micro-preemies . These patients may be at heightened risk for complications such as brain bleeds , improper eye development , developmental delays and chronic lung disease that can impact their health , quality of life and even survival over both short and long terms .
“ The care these special patients receive in the first seconds , minutes , hours and weeks after being born is absolutely critical to having a good outcome and minimizing lasting impacts ,” explained Carey .
In 2020 , BUMC became the first hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth to be designated a Level IV Maternal Care Center , an acknowledgment that the facility offers the highest level of care available for comprehensive maternal and neonatal care . The designation is awarded to hospitals that provide comprehensive care for even the most complex medical , surgical and obstetrical conditions for pregnant and postpartum patients with a family-centered philosophy to meet the needs of mothers , infants and families .
The pair of designations , Level IV Neonatal Facility and Level IV Maternal Care Center , illustrates the commitment of the BUMC Women and Children ’ s Services program to providing care for growing families . That is also one of the reasons BUMC was recently voted “ Best Place to Have a Baby ” by DFWChild magazine readers . “ Whether it ’ s an uncomplicated delivery at 40 weeks or a preterm delivery marked with unexpected complexities , our goal is the same : provide moms , infants and families the best possible outcome and experience ,” said Kristine DeButy , MSN , RN , RNC-OB , NE-BC , director of nursing for Women and Children ’ s Services at BUMC .
THE COMPASS / BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE DALLAS FOUNDATION NEWS / SUMMER 2021