Family lounge and sleep room For the neonatal intensive care unit NICU (1259)

For the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

We understand it is very hard to be away from home with a sick baby in the hospital.  While your baby is here in the NICU, we hope you can find some comfort in having the option to stay close when possible.  Please read these requirements for the family lounge and sleep rooms. For everyone’s safety you must follow these at all times.  Your comfort and safety matter the most. 

Safety

We are committed to the safety and security of everyone in these areas.

• NICU parents will get a parent badge.  This badge will give you access in and out of your baby’s suite in the West tower and only out of your babies suite in the Center tower. You can also access the family lounge area with your badge.  
• The unit secretary will always complete a screening process when you are let into the center tower suites or when you check in at the West 8 desk. 
• Using cameras, security staff watch the family lounge area as well as all traveled areas between the suites.

Expectations 

• No alcohol use or smoking of cigarettes, cigars, recreational drugs or vapes is allowed in the hospital or on hospital grounds.  This includes restrooms and sleep rooms.
• Siblings of patients may use the Family Lounge during regular visiting hours (8am to 8pm), but they must be supervised by an adult.
• Loud, rude or threatening behavior is not tolerated.   
• Label all your food and drinks with your:  name, child’s room number and date.
• Clean up the family lounge of all messes, especially after any food prep or eating. If you need help with a spill, please let the NICU unit secretary know or call extension 66677 from the lounge to leave a message.
• Phones are for local calls only.

Family Lounge

The NICU Family Lounge is a quiet place to relax and take a brief break.  There are lounges in the center tower the west tower.  Please use the lounge closest to your baby’s room.

The lounge has a:

• Seating area 
• Table and chairs.
• TV
  Kitchenette with:
  – Refrigerator, microwave, sink, water and coffee dispenser.
  – Counter space to prepare meals.
• There is a separate Laundry area with a washer and dryer.  Please ask your baby’s nurse or the unit secretary about them.

Sleep Rooms 

There are two sleep rooms for parents.  The unit secretary assigns them each night after 8 p.m.  
Sleep rooms may be an option when you are unable to sleep at your baby’s bedside because there is too much equipment and not enough space.  Sometimes, it may be that there are a lot bedside procedures happening. 

• There is no charge for these rooms. 
• It is preferred that families sleep at their baby’s bedside.
• When there are many requests and not enough rooms, the lead charge nurse or supervisor will work with the HUC to decide.   
• If you are assigned a sleep room because of special reasons, you will get a separate access badge.
• Each room has a double bed, a phone, a chair, private shower, sink and toilet. 
• Children’s Hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen items.  
• Check out is at 10 a.m. Please return any sleep room badges to the NICU West 8 front desk.  
• Families on the waitlist for Ronald McDonald House may be given priority for use of the sleep room.

Guidelines

• Children are not allowed in sleep rooms.
• Food and drink are not allowed in sleep rooms.
• Occupied sleep rooms are cleaned daily after check out.  If you have cleaning needs before check out, please talk with the NICU secretary.  
• Rooms are for parents of NICU patients.
• A grandparent may be allowed to stay only when the patient is coming in from an outside hospital and a parent is unable to be there.  This will need approval from the supervisor or lead charge nurse.
• Mothers under 18 may have a guardian stay with them.  Fathers under 18 are not allowed to stay in the sleep rooms.

Ronald McDonald House (RMH)

RMH is like a home away from home.  It is just two blocks north of Children’s Hospital.  They have a shuttle that runs to and from the hospital.  Out-of-town families may be able to stay at RMH while their child is in the hospital. Ask for a brochure or call Family Services at (414) 266-2800.  If you would like a room at RMH, staff can help start the process.  

I have read and understand the rules and guidelines of the family lounge and sleep room areas.  

I understand if my family does not these rules and guidelines, we will not be able to use these areas.

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