Clinical Care and Compassion in the NICU

Marian Regional Medical Center’s Newborn Intensive Care Unit team encompasses a multidisciplinary approach, ranging from expert clinical staff and pharmacy technicians to social workers and volunteers. All team members have one goal in mind: to ensure each infant's family is part of the team.

As a robust NICU, Marian is committed to caring for infants throughout the region—from the Gaviota Tunnel up to Templeton and beyond. Marian staff stands ready to receive or transport critically-ill infants to the 21-bed unit. Caring for fragile infants poses a unique set of challenges; however, at Marian, the NICU team provides care in a healing, supportive environment. In addition to offering the latest treatments using advanced medical technology, including sophisticated monitoring, and ventilation methods, the staff integrates the needs of the patient and family into the care process.

Marian’s team approach: Reena’s Story

Providing care is not a top-down medical approach, with the clinicians offering the final say in treatment. Instead, Marian ensures that families have a significant voice in the decision making process.

“The way we operate is a multidisciplinary approach. It’s run as a team, where it is not just the nurses and physicians making all of the decisions. Instead, we want the family to be a part of the decision making,” says Luis F. Ochoa-Pelaez, MD, Medical Director of Marian’s Neonatal ICU.

For the clinical team, it’s important to include everyone, and the patients notice the difference.

Recent NICU mother Ricel Joyce Torres was overwhelmed following the birth of her daughter Reena who was diagnosed with a rare skin disorder.

As Torres recounted, “Even though what happened to my daughter was shocking, I was impressed with Marian’s NICU. Every day I was there, the team monitored our case. Additionally, even occupational therapists, case managers, a clinical research nurse, and nutritionists all were an integral part of our care.”

As a nurse at Marian Regional Medical Center, Torres is uniquely situated to notice the level of care received. For this nurse, her mind and heart were at peace due to care provided by the clinical and support staff.

Marian nurse Ricel Torres is pictured with her husband Raymond and their daughter Reena as they prepare to leave the NICU.

Providing Comfort and Care: LunaRae’s Story

Emergency Caesarean sections, while necessary for the health and safety of a mother and child, can also prompt other emotions. For Shakara Jones, it birthed a sense of uncertainty, especially when her full-term baby needed care in the NICU.

“For me, I felt guilty for my child to be there,” Jones admitted. “I had a misconception of who belongs in the NICU, but I realized that even full-term babies can end up there.”

Feeling welcomed, Jones recounted how the nursing staff ensured that she wascared for alongside her daughter, LunaRae. As she recovered from her C-section surgery, the Marian team would wheel her bed next to her daughter’s, ensuring a connection between the two. While Jones did not previously mentally prepare herself for this unexpected event, the constant comfort and care received helped her on the road to recovery.

LunaRae Jones was successfully cared for by the NICU team and is one of many NICU graduates. She recently celebrated her first birthday and brings a smile wherever she goes.

Support in times of trial: Daniel’s Story

When Daniel Torres was born at just 26 weeks gestation, he weighed only one pound and 12 ounces. Receiving round-theclock care, mother Cristina Torres witnessed firsthand the high levels of NICU expertise. For parents of premature or sick infants, not everyone has the ability or capacity to stay with their infant in the NICU, and she relied upon the skill and kindness of Marian clinicians.

“I appreciated the communication from the staff, and how they treated my son with compassion when my husband and I could not be there,” Torres recounted.

When her son was transferred for a specialized surgical procedure at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, the NICU team provided gas cards and information on the Ronald McDonald House at Madera. While she was nervous about the transfer, the team provided resources for a smooth transition.

Cristina Torres’ son Daniel is now walking and working with an educational therapist and speech therapist. He is making incredible progress in his development.

Cristina Torres’ son Daniel is now walking and working with an educational therapist and speech therapist. He is making incredible progress in his development.

Marian Regional Medical Center is one of only 24 hospitals in California to receive the Women’s Choice Award as one of America’s Best Hospitals for Patient Safety and has consistently received high ratings from the Leapfrog Group since 2013 for safety and quality of care.