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NICU

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) 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.

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Davie, Florida

If your child requires extra medical support following delivery, you can feel confident in the quality of care they will receive at the Level III NICU at HCA Florida University Hospital.

Our neonatologists provide compassionate treatment and support to babies who are born prematurely, with an illness or who are in need of extra medical care. Every infant in the NICU is closely monitored by highly trained neonatologists, nurses, respiratory therapists and other healthcare professionals. We also provide comprehensive support services and educational resources for parents.

Our NICU services

We are a high performing Level III Academic NICU providing advanced and highly specialized neonatal intensive care for all neonatal diseases and all levels of illness. Our team is highly professional and compassionate ensuring the utmost nurturing environment for every infant under our watch.

Board-certified neonatologists lead our Level III NICU team. Infants in our NICU also receive care from other neonatal specialists, including neonatal nurses and neonatal respiratory therapists. If needed, we have subspecialties in heart care, neurological care, endocrinology, ophthalmology, orthopedic and ear, nose and throat (ENT) care who will join the NICU team in caring for your baby's health needs.

Small baby unit

Our dedicated team of physicians and nurses specializes in managing babies born extremely premature and/or with extremely low birth weight. The care begins prior to delivery to optimize the best possible outcomes with meticulous clinical management addressing needs along the entire NICU stay, from the first minutes of life to discharge planning. Our comprehensive care strategy and experience ensures optimal outcomes, surpassing national and international benchmarks for very low birthweight infant survival rates.


Point of care ultrasound and hemodynamics

Equipped with expertise in Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) and hemodynamics, our physicians deliver prompt, targeted care to critically ill neonates, facilitating immediate diagnosis and intervention without delay.


Neurodevelopmental care

Recognizing the critical importance of early intervention, we prioritize neurodevelopmental care from birth, particularly for premature infants and those at risk of brain oxygen deprivation during pregnancy or delivery. With a multidisciplinary team comprising neurodevelopmental neonatologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists, we empower parents to actively participate in their child's care, fostering improved neurodevelopmental outcomes through tailored interventions and always encouraging bonding through skin-to-skin care.


Neonatal cardiology

We collaborate closely with Nicklaus Children’s Heart Institute and serve as a center for navigated patients with a prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). We are the only NICU in south Florida that has a pediatric cardiac intensivist who is a double board-certified neonatologist and pediatric cardiologist caring for babies with all types of congenital heart disease. With a close collaboration with the Nicklaus Children’s pediatric cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons the care of the often complex clinical needs of neonates with congenital heart disease is seamless.

We are also a referral center for premature neonates with congenital heart disease with our highly experienced and specialized neonatal cardiac team we optimize all aspects of care by focusing on lung health, lung and heart interactions, optimal nutrition and neurodevelopment optimizing chances of a successful outcome.


Neonatal palliative care

With compassion and expertise, our neonatal palliative care team provides guidance and support to families facing the diagnosis of lethal diseases or congenital anomalies. Our focus on creating a peaceful, supportive environment enables families to cherish precious moments with their infants under expert guidance.


Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

We are a regional referral center for complex Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) or chronic lung disease associated with prematurity. We actively participate in the only international BPD collaborative and are actively involved in clinical management discussions as well as current research.

Our expertise extends to the forefront of clinical management, bolstered by access to state-of-the-art ventilators, including NAVA technology which can be beneficial in patients with BPD. We also have a special focus and expertise on pulmonary hypertension secondary of BPD. We base weaning the ventilator and need for tracheostomy on a score assessing the tolerance of age-appropriate physical demand.

Complementing our chronic lung program, we have a highly successful chronic lung disease prevention program aimed at reducing the risk of chronic lung disease in premature infants. Our exceptional outcomes of lower than expected rate of chronic lung disease in out inborn premature underscore our commitment to providing top-tier lung care.


Focus on nutrition

Ensuring optimal nutrition is paramount for the growth, development, and overall well-being of newborns, particularly premature infants. At our facility, we prioritize a comprehensive approach to nutrition, setting us apart as leaders in neonatal care.

We are staunch advocates of breast milk feeding, recognizing its unparalleled benefits for neonatal health. In instances where mothers are unable to provide sufficient breast milk, we seamlessly integrate donor breast milk into our care protocols. This commitment results in an impressive 99% of premature neonates in our care receiving the invaluable nourishment of breast milk, supplemented with human milk-based fortifiers when necessary.

This focus on breast milk feeding not only fosters optimal health but also supports crucial aspects of early development, including brain growth and the maturation of vital organs such as the lungs. Our standardized approach to feeding advancement ensures that each infant receives tailored nutrition throughout their NICU journey, combining breast milk with precisely calibrated intravenous nutrition when needed. This meticulous approach delivers essential proteins, carbohydrates, fats, trace minerals, and vitamins at every stage of development, promoting optimal growth and mitigating complications associated with prematurity.

By prioritizing optimal nutrition and leveraging a standardized approach rooted in best practices, we stand apart as pioneers in neonatal care. We are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for every infant entrusted to our care.


Leaders in medical education

Pioneers in neonatal education, we host the world's most respected and diverse NICU-specific educational podcast, "The Incubator," reaching thousands of neonatologists globally. Our involvement in leading conferences and collaborations with top institutions nationally and internationally underscores our dedication to advancing the field of neonatology and enriching patient care by bringing cutting-edge research and expertise to the bedside. We also host the popular Delphi Neonatal Innovation conference which is visited by neonatal healthcare providers from all over the world sharing their passion for advancing the field of neonatology.


Quality and safety

Driven by our commitment to excellence, our structured, standardized clinical care ensures that every patient receives optimal, evidence based personalized treatment. Led by a national leader in NICU quality and safety, our program emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration to make informed treatment decisions, safeguarding the best possible outcomes for our patients.


Neonatal transport team

Our hospital’s neonatal transport team works with various services to bring babies from hundreds of miles away via ground and air ambulances.

Our hospital facilities are always prepared to handle any emergency situation, including the transportation of our tiniest patients.


Champions for family-centered care

At the heart of our approach lies a deep commitment to family-centered care. We view parents and caregivers as invaluable partners in the care journey, promoting unrestricted visitation and encouraging skin-to-skin contact to enhance bonding and improve outcomes for both infants and families.


Family life classes

Our neonatal care team works with our prenatal care program to educate expecting families about healthy lifestyle choices to minimize health concerns for newborn babies.


Baby care classes

The staff at our NICU wants parents to feel confident caring for their baby at home. We hold baby care classes once a week for families with babies in the NICU. These classes, led by nurses certified in teaching infant CPR, help parents feel more comfortable when they take their baby home.


NICU breastfeeding support

As your baby's health improves, we encourage mothers to provide breast or bottle feedings. A baby in the NICU may not be able to breastfeed immediately, so we encourage parents to be patient until your child is well enough to feed. Women who plan to breastfeed can store their pumped breast milk and colostrum in an on-site freezer until it’s needed.

Our hospital also features a lactation center. Lactation consultants are available to work with new moms one-on-one, offering breastfeeding classes before delivery. Upon request, they will also meet with new moms after delivery.


Other services

Other services offered at our Level III NICU include:

  • Neonatal ventilators for all modes of respiratory support
  • Nitric oxide administration is available to treat newborns with persistent pulmonary hypertension (a type of high blood pressure affecting the arteries in the lungs and heart)
  • Total body cooling as a treatment for newborns to reduce the body temperature after birth and prevent potential brain damage
  • Long-term nutritional support provided through total parenteral nutrition (TPN) — nutrition provided through intravenous (IV) administration, as well as a dedicated NICU nutritionist
  • Donor milk program, which allows supplementation with donor milk when a mother is unable to provide enough breast milk
  • Cribs for Kids® safe sleep program, which uses specialized swaddles instead of blankets to create a safer sleep environment for infants
  • Support for the mothers own milk initiative by the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative (FPQC), aimed at increasing the amount of milk received by low birth weight infants from the mother. as well as a comprehensive skin-to-skin program
  • NICU-trained physical, occupational and speech therapists to enhance neurodevelopment, along with a NICU neurodevelopment team of specialized healthcare professionals

HCA Florida University Hospital - Thank a Nurse

NICU Nurse at HCA Florida University Hospital receives surprise thank you letter.

Our NICU Locations

Currently Viewing:

University Hospital
3476 S University Dr.
Davie, FL 33328
 (954) 475 - 4400

Currently Viewing:

University Hospital
3476 S University Dr.
Davie, FL 33328
 (954) 475 - 4400
Northwest Hospital
2801 N State Road 7
Margate, FL 33063
 (954) 974 - 0400

13.1 miles

Mercy Hospital
3663 S Miami Ave
Miami, FL 33133
 (305) 854 - 4400

23.4 miles