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Matthews, N.C. Expecting parents can take comfort in knowing that if they deliver prematurely, there is a good chance that they and their baby can both be cared for at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews. The hospital recently celebrated the grand opening of its new Level III special care nursery, which can care for premature babies and newborns suffering serious health conditions.

The special care nursery at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews is equipped with respirators, incubators, radiant warmers, support equipment and other devices to care for all types of babies. For example, the nursery can now provide short-term mechanical ventilation and other respiratory support for neonates, as well as intravenous nutrition for babies. Before upgrading, the nursery could only care for babies with minor, temporary health problems.

"Now, we can take care of almost all babies. We have a staff of skilled neonatal nurses who are supported by full-time neonatal nurse practitioners," said Dr. Gerald Berkowitz, a neonatologist at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews.

For a majority of babies born with special needs at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews, they no longer have to be separated from their mothers and families to be transferred to another facility for care.

"It's stressful for high-risk babies to be separated from their mothers," said Dr. Berkowitz. "We're removing that stress factor from the babies, their parents and extended families. This is a real benefit to patients who seek care at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews because we will be able to care for a majority of the babies here."

The special care nursery at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews is affiliated with Hemby Intensive Care Nursery at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, a level IV nursery the highest level recognized by the state of North Carolina. If a baby needs to be cared for initially at Hemby Intensive Care Nursery, he or she can later be transferred back to Presbyterian Hospital Matthews for convalescent care.

In addition to upgrading the level of care offered to the community, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews also renovated the nursery. The new nursery is decorated in soothing pastel colors, and the four-bed special care nursery is designed for expansion.

For more information about the special care nursery at Presbyterian Hospital Matthews, or to schedule a maternity tour, please call 704-384-4949.