NICU

Expert, around-the-clock intensive care for your newborn.

NICU

Expert, around-the-clock intensive care for your newborn.

Neonatal intensive care at UW Medicine

At UW Medicine, we know that having a newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can be both overwhelming and emotional. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest level of care for your baby while ensuring that you, as a family, receive the support and information you need during this time. 

About NICU care

NICUs are specialized hospital units focused on intensive medical care for babies born prematurely, with low birth weights or facing medical challenges. They are categorized into four levels based on the complexity of care they can provide. They range from Level I, for basic care for healthy newborns, to Level IV, which offers the most advanced care possible.

UW Medicine has three unique programs serving the community:

  • UW Medical Center – Montlake features our Level IV NICU, one of the largest and most advanced programs in the Pacific Northwest.
  • UW Medical Center – Northwest is our community-based hospital campus in North Seattle with a Level II NICU.
  • Valley Medical Center is located in Renton and is the only Level III NICU between Seattle and Tacoma.

Featured location: UW Medical Center – Montlake

Advanced care for the smallest newborns

Our advanced therapies and technology allow us to care for babies born as early as 22 weeks of gestation.

Expert medical team

A dedicated team of neonatologists, neonatal nurses, advanced practice providers, respiratory therapists, speech and language pathologists, pharmacists, dietitians, lactation consultants, social workers and other specialists.

Private rooms

We have 42 single, private rooms with space for a family member to stay near their infant. We also have rooms for multiple births.

Continuous monitoring

State-of-the-art equipment provides round-the-clock monitoring to track your baby’s vital signs and overall health.

Therapeutic hypothermia via whole body cooling

Therapies for infants with neonatal encephalopathy requiring whole body cooling, continuous video EEG monitoring and NIRS (Near Infrared Spectroscopy).

Assisted ventilation

Ranging from non-invasive techniques to high-frequency oscillators and jet ventilators.