Skip to Content

NICU

The neonatal intensive care unit provides critical care to newborns who are ill or premature. Many factors may lead to a newborn being admitted to the NICU, including low birth weight or complications during delivery. The NICU staff works closely with parents to develop a treatment plan for their newborn.

HCAHealthcare_Specialty_Pediatrics_NICU

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Brandon, Florida

When your baby requires an extra level of care, you need a compassionate team that can provide specialized neonatal services.

HCA Florida Brandon Hospital is home to a Level III NICU that provides a healing environment for babies born prematurely or with health complications. At our Level III NICU, neonatologists and maternal-fetal medicine specialists are on-site 24/7. We practice family-centered care by working together with you to provide your baby the love and support they need to get well.

Related Specialties

Learn more about our related specialties

Our Level III NICU

Our 22-bed NICU offers specialty medical equipment and advanced care. The NICU team is available 24/7 to care for infants who need additional support after labor and delivery.

Features of our NICU

We offer the following services in our NICU:

  • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) respiratory support
  • In-house breastfeeding support
  • Pediatric ophthalmology services
  • Pediatric pulmonology services
  • Specialized infant beds designed to transform from an incubator to a crib as your child grows and gains strength
  • Ventilator breathing support
  • Whole body cooling therapy

Neonatal surgical services

Infants requiring surgical care are in the hands of our pediatric surgeons with years of experience performing surgery on our smallest patients. We have specialty pediatric physicians in the following areas:

  • Cardiac surgery
  • Ear, nose and throat surgery
  • Gastrointestinal surgery
  • General surgery
  • Pulmonary surgery
  • Thoracic surgery

Visiting the NICU

We know this is a special time of bonding between you and your baby. We've set up the guidelines below to provide your baby with a safe, healing environment.

When to visit the NICU

A detailed visitation record is kept in your child's chart that you will sign to ensure only approved individuals are visiting your child.

Parents and grandparents may visit at any time, except during the change in nursing shifts (every day from 6:45am - 8:00am and 6:45pm - 8:00pm). You may be asked to leave the nursery during a stressful time for another baby sharing your infant's room or when a new patient is being admitted.

Parents and grandparents may practice open visitation, but we ask that no more than two people are present at the bedside at a time. Grandparents may visit on their own with written consent from the parents. Siblings may also visit if their immunization record is up to date.

It is important that all NICU visitors are in good health. Visitors who are sick or who have recently been exposed to an illness, such as chickenpox, measles or a strep infection, are asked not to visit to protect the health of all babies in the NICU.


Patient safety and privacy

In addition to providing advanced care to your newborn, one of our primary goals is maintaining your child's safety. To protect the privacy of every child in our care, we ask that you visit only at your child's bedside.

The staff in our NICU will keep you informed about your baby's condition and progress when you visit your baby in-person or over the phone. Information about a child's condition will only be provided by telephone directly to parents.


Brandon Hospital NICU Expansion - Phase 1

Brandon Hospital's expansion project of its Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) allows the hospital to provide care to 70% to 80% more infants per year. The NICU houses onsite neonatologists and maternal-fetal medicine specialists that have dedicated their careers to providing specialized care to babies requiring extra medical attention after birth.
A Teddy bear at Brandon Hospitals NICU.

The Healthy Living Blog

Fresh knowledge and insights in and around healthcare industry.

Sunny side up: Understanding the precautions your kids should take in Florida's year-round sun 

September 07, 2022
St. Lucie Hospital
Dr. Emily Sou, a pediatrician affiliated with HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital shares some tips on how to keep your children protected from the sun year-round.

Sunny side up: Understanding the precautions your kids should take in Florida's year-round sun 

September 07, 2022
St. Lucie Hospital
Dr. Emily Sou, a pediatrician affiliated with HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital shares some tips on how to keep your children protected from the sun year-round.

Could your baby have RSV and should you take them to the ER? 

August 09, 2021
This virus is highly contagious and is particularly effective at causing a number of respiratory infections in infants 6 months old and younger.

6 healthy habits for kids going back to school 

August 09, 2021
As kids return to school this fall, it's important that parents educate them on behaviors to help keep themselves and their classmates safe and healthy.