‘Preemie for a Day’ Program Allows Silver Cross Hospital NICU Staff to Reaffirm That Every Touch is Special

As families and health professionals around the world observe World Prematurity Day Nov. 17, staff at the Amy, Matthew & Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox know how important a gentle touch is to their precious preemie patients.

And thanks to generous support from Childerguild, dedicated to supporting the Women’s and Children’s Services at Silver Cross, NICU team members were able to experience that sensitive touch.

Offered by Philips Healthcare Education and led by professionals from a variety of NICU backgrounds, the interactive “Preemie for a Day” allows participants to experience a preemie’s journey from birth through admission, gaining insights and first-hand experience of developmentally supportive care at every stage of the neonate’s stay.

“It was all that and more!” said Peggy Farrell, DNP, RN, Silver Cross Director of NICU and Lactation Services. “This program provides rethinking how to best provide care to the tiniest, most fragile patients. The instructors were truly impressed on what practices were already in place!

“A key takeaway is to know that NICU staff are essential in providing specialized care and creating environments for brain development. Every interaction, every touch and every moment are crucial in development of the NICU babies’ brains. NICU staff provide specialized care that directly supports the developing brain of premature and sick newborns. The focus of the care is to minimize stress and promote healthy brain growth and long-term outcomes. All care is brain care.”

Participants included NICU nurses, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners, neonatologists and members of the developmental team from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, which collaborates to offer greater access to superb inpatient pediatric care at Silver Cross Hospital.

“A big thank you to Childerguild for allowing us the opportunity to bring this personal touch experience to our staff! This is what our NICU is all about!”

To learn more about the Amy, Matthew & Jay Vana Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Silver Cross, visit silvercross.org/nicu