At The Moore Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Chester County Hospital, your baby will receive hands-on, clustered care every three to six hours or as needed. This allows for your baby to sleep, rest and grow in between touch times. While we encourage kangaroo care we ask that you do this type of holding before or after cares to minimize disruptions in your baby's sleep.
Your Baby's Room in the NICU
Each infant's room is designed with your family in mind. There are designated spaces for both your infant's medical supplies as well as your personal items. Keeping your infant's room free from clutter is important for infection prevention as well as safety in caring for your infant.
The cabinet just inside the door is for you. Please use this cabinet to store items such as your coat, infant boppy, and pumping supplies. Feel free to place your handbag in the cabinet, but when you leave your infant's bedside, please take valuables with you as these cabinets are not locked.
Each room has a reclining chair perfect for breastfeeding, kangaroo care, and bonding.
Your First Days in the NICU
You are a valued member of your baby’s healthcare team. We are partnering with you in caring for your new baby. At this time, it is a requirement to wear a mask upon entry into the hospital.
Daily rounds with the nurse and the doctor are done each day between 9am and 12pm to create the plan of care for your baby. If you are unable to visit your baby during this time the doctor will call you to update you on your baby each afternoon.
We encourage you to provide breast milk for your baby. You can pump at your baby’s bedside or in our lactation room. We have breast pumps and bottles for you to use and we will store the breast milk in our nutrition room refrigerator.
There is a patient bathroom available for use in the front of the NICU.
Once you are discharged, you and your partner are encouraged to go home, rest, refresh and recover. While you may feel sad or guilty leaving your baby, rest assured that your baby is in the hands of the most caring and competent professionals. You are welcome and encouraged to call in to check on your baby, anytime, day or night. We are always happy to answer your questions.
NICU Amenities
There is a NICU Family lounge directly outside the NICU doors for families to use during your time with us. When you are not utilizing the lounge area, it will be locked to keep private for your use. This area includes a small seating area, television, refrigerator and microwave.
It is very important to keep all food out of the patient care areas to control for infection, so please keep all food storage and consumption to the lounge. Please label food in the refrigerator with your name and date. Covered drink containers are acceptable in the NICU.
Interpreter Services
Interpreters are available in-house, off-site and on-call throughout the week for interpretation, translation and education. Interpreters are also able to handle phone calls and help non-English-speaking patients set appointments over the phone. Chester County Hospital has a variety of services to accommodate the visual and hearing impaired as well as the non-English speaking patient. Please ask your nurse for assistance.
Visitation Policy
Parents are always welcome to participate in their infant’s care. During these challenging times, there are recurrent changes to the frequency and number of visitors allowed in the unit, please call the unit at 610-431-5394 for the most up-to-date information.
Family Meetings
Family meetings are an opportunity for parents whose infants have required NICU care for two weeks or more to meet with the full NICU team to discuss the care plan for your infant. These meetings typically occur weekday afternoons. While it is preferred for both parents to attend these meetings in person, phone conferencing is available if one parent is not able to attend in person. Please feel free to schedule your family meeting with our multidisciplinary team by calling Leslie Ferguson at 610-431-5355 or emailing her at leslie.ferguson@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
The DAISY Award
The DAISY Award is an international recognition program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Pat’s family experienced first-hand the difference his nurses made in his care through clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care. The family created The DAISY Award to express gratitude to nurses and to enable other patients, families, and staff to thank and honor their special nurses.
Please visit DAISYFoundation.org to learn more about Pat's story and how The DAISY Award recognizes Extraordinary Nurses.
Complete these forms to share your story of how a CCH nurse or nursing team made a difference in your care or that of someone you know:
The GEM Award
The GEM Award was created from a suggestion at an open forum meeting with the ancillary staff members and will mirror the criteria used for the Daisy recipients (nurses). The individual nominated to receive this award should demonstrate exceptional compassionate care.
GEM Award honorees personify Chester County Hospital’s remarkable patient experience. These staff members consistently demonstrate excellence through their extraordinary compassionate care and are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community.