Neonatal intensive care unit earns level IV designation at Memorial Health

Memorial Health leaders announced today that their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has earned the designation of Level IV neonatal intensive care unit by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. This means our dynamic multidisciplinary team is able to provide the highest level of care for premature and critically ill newborns.

“Level IV NICU is the highest level of neonatal intensive care available,” said Brad Buckler, MD, medical director for Memorial Health’s NICU. “This designation affirms that we are providing the most comprehensive care for premature and critically ill newborns in our region.”

Memorial Health is the first Regional Perinatal Center/Birthing Hospital in Georgia to be designated as an AAP-accredited Level IV Neonatal Center. The new Level IV designation comes after a thorough and rigorous survey of our NICU by the AAP in October.

Level IV NICUs are equipped to care for infants with complex medical problems and those who need advanced surgical repair. They have 24/7 availability of pediatric medical and surgical specialists, including those who perform surgery. The NICU also has the capability to complete advanced imaging like MRI and echocardiography. Babies are able to be resuscitated as early as 22 weeks gestation through post-term. The NICU also has the resources available to provide high frequency ventilation, total body cooling and will soon add dialysis to their wide range of abilities.

“Since 2018, Memorial Health and our patient company, HCA Healthcare, have added 28 beds and invested $30M to expand our NICU. Our new Level IV designation is a testament to our growing commitment to serve these babies and their families,” said Brad Talbert, CEO of Memorial Health.