Welcome

All of us at Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, P.A. want to ensure that you and your child have the best NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) experience possible. We know that having a baby in the NICU can be stressful. The purpose of this section is to tell you about our doctors and what you can expect from them during your baby’s time in the NICU.

What Is a Neonatologist?

A neonatologist is a pediatrician with several years of additional training in the care of sick newborns. Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, P.A. is composed of 12 neonatologists with over 300 years of combined experience in caring for babies. One of our neonatologists will see your baby every day.

How Do They Work?

We have a neonatologist on duty 24 hours a day. Rarely, the on-call neonatologist will leave the hospital for a brief period to go to another hospital to see a sick baby at night. Because we provide 24-hour services, we work in shifts. That means that during your baby’s hospital stay, you will likely have contact with several of us. Our neonatologists typically make their rounds in the NICU for five to seven days at a time. Several neonatologists may be involved in the care of your baby. The advantage of this type of coverage is that your infant will receive the benefit of different neonatologists’ experience and knowledge. While you may see a particular physician many times over the course of your baby’s hospitalization, your baby will not usually have the same doctor each week throughout their time in the NICU.

Which Neonatologist Will Care for My Baby?

As a parent, you have the right to know the name and contact information of the doctor caring for your infant. Every day, one of our neonatologists will examine your baby, review the chart, laboratory and other results, speak with your baby’s nurse, and create or modify a treatment plan and progress note every day. This neonatologist, sometimes referred to as “the rounding physician,” is the member of the NICU team who is responsible for directing all of your baby’s care. Questions about your baby’s condition, treatment plan and laboratory or X-ray results should all be addressed to the rounding neonatologist. They are generally in the NICU from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

How Do I Get Information?

We want you to receive the information you need in order to feel comfortable about the care your baby is receiving. At any time you feel you need to speak with a doctor, your baby’s nurse will arrange for a doctor to discuss your concerns with you. While we may not be able to speak with you immediately, we will talk with you as soon as circumstances permit. If we aren’t able to speak with you in the NICU, we will call you periodically, depending on your baby’s condition. Each parent has different needs for information and updates. When your baby starts to improve, there may not be as much information for the doctor to convey to you. If you need more frequent or less frequent updates, just let us know, and we will do our best to meet your needs.

The Most Important Thing

Helping you understand your baby’s condition and treatment plan is the most important thing that we can do to help you through the difficult experience of having a baby in the NICU. Please ask about anything that concerns you, so we can help you understand your baby’s situation.