Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2018

Having a baby can be one of the most joyous, yet challenging, experiences in a couple’s life together. Usually, this results in a quick hospital stay before leaving the hospital and settling into life as a family together. However, sometimes tiny newborns need extra attention at birth, and that is why Kootenai Health incorporated a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) into our Family Birth Center, which opened in March 2016. Our neonatal care is designed for babies who need special monitoring and medical attention. Kootenai’s NICU can care for babies born as early as 28 weeks’ gestation, and those as small as about 2 pounds. Prior to Kootenai’s NICU opening two years ago, babies this small would often be transported to Spokane for treatment. While fundraising for the east expansion project, we heard many stories of parents whose babies were treated in Spokane, and the need for proper neonatal care in northern Idaho became ever more apparent. “My wife and I experienced firsthand the trials of having our twins treated in another city before Kootenai Health Make a world of difference To learn more about the Kootenai Health Foundation and how you can help, call (208) 625-4438 , email foundation@kh.org , or visit KH.org/foundation . had a NICU,” said Mike Chapman, who is on the Kootenai Health Board of Directors. “To have been able to receive that same level of care just minutes away from our home would have made a world of difference. I am proud to be a part of the Foundation board and an advocate for neonatal care, especially during the Family Birth Center construction.” Connecting lovedones We are happy to report the success of our new NICU. In 2017, 400 babies were treated right here in Coeur d’Alene, closer to both family and home. Although the NICU is designed for the highest level of treatment for fragile infants, it is also designed to allow mom and dad to spend as much time with their baby as possible. If there comes a time when mom or dad cannot be by their baby’s side, or if older siblings or grandparents cannot come visit, we offer a unique solution. Each infant bed includes a NICView camera, a state-of- the-art system that provides secure livestream video of a baby when parents or other family members are not able to be there in person. Each infant is assigned an access code that allows parents to personally choose to allow siblings, relatives and friends to view their new arrival from anywhere in the United States and around the world. Through support from people in the community, the Foundation was excited to bring this technology to Kootenai—helping to keep families connected during difficult times. Nicole Jacklin delivered her baby, Rory, via an emergency C-section at Kootenai, where he stayed in the NICU for 33 days. “Because I was recovering from surgery, I wasn’t able to see Rory in the NICU for almost two days,” Nicole said. “But because of the NICView camera, I could see him from my hospital room, and it made everything more real and comforting. Later, I was able to show our daughter the video and introduce her to Rory before he came home.” Sharing the joy In 2017, we saw 22,274 logins from 33 states and 10 countries, ranging from Canada to Nepal—all from By Julie Holt, Kootenai Health Foundation President friends and family members checking in on our little ones. “It meant so much to us that we could deliver our baby here in Coeur d’Alene,” Nicole said. “Between our 2-and-a- half-year-old daughter and Rory being in the NICU, we would have had to choose between which child to be with if we had to travel back and forth to Spokane. Being at Kootenai allowed us to keep life relatively normal for our little girl and still visit the hospital throughout the day.” While the Foundation is always working to support large projects and service growth at the hospital, sometimes it is the smaller amenities that bring the most joy to our patients and families. No matter the size or scope of the project, we are always pleased to partner with community members to enhance patient care at Kootenai Health and keep families together whenever possible. KH . ORG 19