Understanding NICU Levels and Why Rady Children’s is Unique
What is a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU?
A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is an area in the hospital for premature or critically ill newborns, offering constant medical care, advanced monitoring, and specialized equipment. NICUs are vital for supporting infants born prematurely or with serious medical conditions, providing a controlled environment where specialized medical teams give necessary care until babies are stable and ready to move to a regular nursery or home with their families.
What Are the Levels of NICU Care?
These units are classified into different levels based on the complexity and intensity of care they provide. This structure ensures that each infant receives the appropriate level of medical attention tailored to their specific needs. Here, we’ve described each level of care, beginning with the highest level.
Level 4 Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – The Highest Standard of Care
At Rady Children’s, we provide the sole regional Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, offering the highest level of neonatal care as recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Our 60-bed NICU provides the highest level of care for the most critically ill and premature newborns. Our specialists deliver complete services, including surgical repair of complex congenital or acquired conditions, advanced respiratory and cardiac support, and access to a full range of pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists. Our NICU functions as a regional referral center, ensuring that infants receive the specialized care they need.
Level 3, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
A Level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit offers comprehensive care for infants born before 32 weeks, weighing less than 1,500 grams, or with critical illness at any gestational age. Services include advanced respiratory support, high-frequency ventilation, and advanced imaging. This type of unit is staffed by a full range of pediatric subspecialists.
Level 2, Special Care Nursery
A Level 2 special care nursery provides care for infants born at 32 weeks or later, or who are moderately ill with problems that are expected to get better quickly. Services include short-term mechanical ventilation, intravenous therapy, and specialized feeding support.
Level 1, Well Newborn Nursery
Provides basic care for healthy, full-term infants. Services include routine newborn care, including feeding and bathing.
Why Choose Rady Children’s Hospital?
Rady Children’s Hospital is proud to offer the only Level 4 NICU serving San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties. Our 60-bed NICU provides the highest level of care for the most critically ill and premature newborns.
What Sets Us Apart?
- National Recognition: Our Neonatology program at Rady Children’s has consistently been recognized as one of the top 10 in the entire country for four consecutive years, from 2020 to 2023 by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition highlights our commitment to providing exceptional care for newborns, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment and outcomes.
- Comprehensive Services: At Rady Children’s, we offer specialized programs designed to address complex medical needs. These include the Comprehensive Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Center and the Neuro-NICU Program. These programs are tailored to provide advanced care and support for infants facing specific health challenges, ensuring they receive specialized attention and treatment. We can often begin coordinating NICU care before birth for babies diagnosed while still in the womb through our Fetal Care Program at Rady Children’s.
- Innovative Technology: We are leaders in using cutting-edge technology to enhance patient care. Our hospital employs state-of-the-art telemedicine robots, which help our medical team make quicker diagnoses and treatment decisions, even from a distance. Additionally, we are pioneers in using advanced simulation dolls for emergency training, ensuring our staff is well-prepared to handle any critical situation effectively. .
- Neonatal Transport: Rady Children’s operates one of the largest neonatal transport services in California. This service ensures that critically ill infants can receive specialized care promptly, no matter where they are located within the region. Our dedicated transport team is equipped to handle urgent situations, providing a seamless transition to our NICU for those who need it most
- Excellence in Care: Rady Children’s operates one of the largest neonatal transport services in California. This service ensures that critically ill infants can receive specialized care promptly, no matter where they are located within the region. Our dedicated transport team is equipped to handle urgent situations, providing a seamless transition to our NICU for those who need it most
Our Partnerships
n addition to our Level 4 NICU, Rady Children’s operates Level 2 and Level 3 NICUs at multiple hospitals, creating a robust network of neonatal care throughout the region:
- Level 2 NICUs: Our Level 2 NICUs are located at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista, and Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego. These units are equipped to care for newborns who need specialized medical attention and monitoring, offering essential support close to home.Level 3 NICUs: We also operate Level 3 NICUs at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and Rancho Springs Medical Center in Murrieta. These units provide advanced care for newborns with more complex medical needs, ensuring they receive comprehensive treatment and expert care in critical situations.
This network of NICUs allows Rady Children’s to deliver specialized neonatal care across different levels of intensity, ensuring that infants across the region have access to the level of care they need when they need it most.
We also provide specialized care and consultative services to hospitals throughout San Diego, Imperial, and Riverside counties, across the nation, and even as far as Saipan.
Contact Us
For more information about our NICU services or to learn how we can help your newborn, please contact us or visit our Neonatology Program page.