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At Southern Regional Medical Center, we
offer many services to assist you and your baby with a variety of needs.
Please ask your baby’s nurse to contact these special people if needed.
Below is a brief explanation of what is provided by each service.
The Lactation Center
Our staff encourages breastfeeding. Breast milk is one of the most
important things that only you can supply for your baby. Although your
baby may not be ready to breastfeed initially, you can supply expressed
breast milk that we can feed to your baby.
The Lactation Center is
always available to assist in this process. You may call with questions
regarding a breast pump or just moral support.
The Lactation Center also
rents and sells breast pumps and equipment. Breast milk is a great
commodity for you and your baby, and it contains special components that
will help your baby grow and become stronger. Please feel free to ask
any questions regarding breastfeeding and this process.
 Case Management
The Case Management staff here at Southern Regional Medical Center
offer supportive services to families experiencing a medical crisis such
as having a premature or sick infant. The case manager can refer parents
to local community and state agencies to help with special needs and for
financial assistance. If you ever have questions or difficulties coping
with your baby’s condition, please do not hesitate to contact a case
manager. Your nurse can tell you how to get in touch with your case
manager.
Chaplain Services
We understand that this is a very difficult time for you and your
family. Therefore, we want to extend the services of our chaplains. The
hospital chapel is open 24 hours a day for your use. There is also a
small chapel in the Women’s Life Center that you may use. There is
always a minister on duty at the hospital for added support and prayer.
Please let your baby’s nurse know if you would like to meet with a
hospital minister.
Speech Therapy
The speech-language pathologist is often consulted by physicians for
evaluation, recommendations and therapy to improve the feeding skills of
premature or medically fragile infants. The feeding therapist has
special training in the treatment and development of infants with
special feeding needs. His/her training includes anatomy and physiology
of the sucking, swallowing, and breathing mechanisms and different
technique and exercises to improve feeding. The therapist provides
education and hands-on help to parents and caregivers to increase the
successful feeding of their infant.
Respiratory Care Team
The Respiratory Care Team at Southern Regional Medical Center is
involved in many aspects of our patient’s care. Some of the many
responsibilities of the respiratory therapist include patient
assessment, oxygen and aerosol therapy, airway management, arterial
blood gas analysis, and ventilator management. The respiratory
therapists are also part of a resuscitation team that attends all
c-sections and high-risk deliveries. As a part of the NICU team, the
respiratory therapists take every opportunity to educate parents
regarding their baby’s care.
 Physical Therapy
The physical therapists at Southern Regional Medical Center are
available at the physician’s request to assist with your baby’s needs.
The therapist has special training in the treatment and understanding of
premature and term infants. The therapist will evaluate your baby’s
muscle tone and movements and perform exercises with your baby to
improve muscle strength and flexibility. The therapist will in turn
teach the parents and offer suggestions for continued optimal
development at home. If needed, your baby may return after discharge
from the hospital for continued evaluation and treatment with the
physical therapist in the outpatient Physical Therapy Department.
Early Intervention Programs
“Babies Can’t Wait” is a statewide program for infants and toddlers
at risk for developmental delays. Services are provided by agencies and
individuals from public and private sectors. Children ages birth to
three years, regardless of family income, who have a diagnosed condition
known to result in developmental delays, or those undiagnosed who are at
risk of being significantly behind others their age can be referred to
this program. The program staff develop an individualized plan of
service for each baby. State funds may be available to assist in paying
for specific services.
The Resuscitation Team
A team that includes nurses, the neonatologists, the neonatal nurse
practitioner, and respiratory therapists who are specially trained to
respond to any high-risk deliveries that may occur in labor and
delivery. These deliveries include the delivery of extreme low birth
weight babies, C-Sections, presence of meconium, and any other problem
that may occur in delivery. This team also transitions babies who my
need close attention for the first 2-4 of hours after birth.
1st Contact Team
A team that includes nurses, the neonatologists, and the neonatal
nurse practitioner who visits mothers-to-be who are patients in the
Ante-Partum Unit of the Women’s Life Center. This team offers
information and materials to educate mothers about possible premature
delivery and an overview of their baby’s hospital stay. The referral for
the 1st Contact Team comes from the mother’s care provider.
The Graduate Nursery
Please click here to learn more about our graduate nursery. |