Thank you for trusting us with your baby’s care. Our goal is to partner with you to provide excellent medical and surgical care, while also making sure you and your family feel welcomed, informed, respected and valued.

CHOP is a place of healing and compassion. Your care team includes many professionals from different areas of medicine, all working together to support you and your baby. We believe you are an essential part of your baby’s care team, and we value your knowledge and insights. We look forward to working with you and caring for your baby. 

What you/your family can expect from us: 

• To be treated with respect, dignity and compassion
• A safe, trusting and inclusive environment of care
• Clear and concise communication

What we expect from you/your family:

• Respect for all staff and care team members
• Mutual partnership by active participation, information sharing, and collaboration in caring for your baby

The following are not allowed at CHOP:

• Discriminatory slurs, threats and disruptive behavior
• Weapons of any kind
• Photographing, filming or recording any staff member without permission

Your child’s healthcare team includes many people, all dedicated to providing you and your family the best care possible. Every member of your care team will wear a badge with their name and role.

Our team is here to make sure we provide the best care possible for your baby and family. If you have any questions or concerns, please let your bedside nurse know — they will connect you with the right member of your care team. Click here to view your N/IICU care team.

Physicians

A physician (also called a doctor) is a licensed medical professional who helps oversee your child’s care. At CHOP, you may meet several types of doctors, each with a different role. You can identify a doctor by the green band on their hospital ID badge.

• Attending physician/neonatologist: An attending is a fully trained doctor who is responsible for your baby’s overall care. While several attendings may care for your baby throughout the day, the “Attending of Record” is the one leading the care plan.
• Consulting physician: This is a doctor with expertise in a specific area who is called in to provide additional input or recommendations.
• Fellow: This is a doctor who has completed medical school and residency and is now receiving advanced training in a specialized field.
• Resident: This is a doctor who has completed medical school and is now training in a hospital setting.
• Medical student: This is a student in medical school who is learning to become a doctor. CHOP is a teaching hospital, so students are part of the care team and always work under close supervision.
• Surgeon: This is a doctor who has completed medical school and at least four years of additional training in surgery. Most CHOP surgeons are board-certified by the American Board of Surgery.
• Anesthesiologist: This is a doctor who has completed medical school and specialized training in anesthesia. They are responsible for your child’s care and comfort during procedures.

Advanced practice providers

Advanced practice providers are highly trained healthcare professionals who work closely with doctors to give expert care for most medical needs.

• Certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs): These are nurses who have completed a master’s degree and have extra training to care for specific groups of patients. They work closely with doctors to help care for your child.
• Physician assistants (PAs): These are healthcare professionals who have completed a master's level program with extensive training in medical care. They work closely with doctors to help care for your child. 

Nurses 

Our nursing staff have special training in caring for children and may have additional training in a pediatric specialty. They partner with your child’s doctor to provide care. Most nurses can be identified by their gray scrubs, except for a senior nurse’s aid, who will wear maroon scrubs.

• Bedside nurse: This is the nurse who will be caring for your child during each shift. Nurses work closely with the medical team to give medicines, check vital signs, and take care of IVs. They also join daily rounds and help share important updates about your child with the doctors. Nurses may work 4-, 8- or 12-hour shifts.
• Charge nurse: This nurse is the leader during each shift. They help decide where patients go, support the care team, and make sure everything runs smoothly. A charge nurse is always available, 24 hours a day. If you have a concern that your bedside nurse can’t help with, you can ask to speak with the charge nurse.
• Nurse manager: This nurse helps run the unit each day and works with other nursing leaders, like clinical supervisors. They lead a team that includes nurses and support staff. The nurse manager makes sure patients and staff are supported, the unit stays safe for everyone, and high-quality care is provided at all times.
• Safety Quality Specialist (SQS): This is the local/department program leader for patient safety and quality improvement initiatives.
• Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS): This nurse's responsibilities include developing and disseminating annual competencies, facilitating new staff integration, and advancing nursing practice through educational programs.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS): This team member helps improve outcomes by providing direct patient care, leading evidence-based practice, optimizing organizational systems, and advancing nursing practice. The CNS supports nurses and the healthcare team to tailor care to each infant’s needs.
• Student nurse: This is someone studying to become a registered nurse. At a teaching hospital like CHOP, student nurses may take part in patient care as part of their training. They are always supervised by a licensed nurse and are here to learn while helping support your child’s care.
• Senior nurse’s aide: This is a non-nursing support role responsible for assisting with patient care tasks under the supervision of a registered nurse and supporting unit operations by ensuring supplies and equipment are properly stocked and organized. 

Other clinical staff

• Inpatient clerk: This is one of the first people you may see as you enter our unit. They are the gatekeepers and may ask you some screening questions to help keep your baby and all our children safe.
• Respiratory therapist: This specialist provides treatment, evaluation and management of people with breathing disorders. Your respiratory therapist will wear teal scrubs.
• Clinical pharmacy specialists: These are pharmacists that have completed additional specialized training to advise other healthcare team members on medication use to improve outcomes in a broad range of pediatric diseases.

Support staff

You may meet some or all of the following support staff:

• Admissions coordinator: This team member checks your insurance, helps you get settled on the hospital unit, and assists with admission forms. They can also help you set up your MyCHOP account.
• Social worker: A N/IICU social worker is here to support your family during your child’s care. They can offer information and emotional support, and help with making healthcare decisions. Services include mental health assessments, counseling, crisis intervention and support to families coping with life-changing illnesses. Social workers help families navigate their hospital stay, coordinate care across hospital and community systems, gain access to financial assistance programs, connect to resources, and prepare for discharge.
• Child life specialist: Child life specialists help your child and family members feel more comfortable in the hospital. They use play, fun activities, and age-appropriate teaching to help kids understand and cope with medical procedures. They also offer emotional support and can answer questions about your child’s development, how they’re adjusting to being in the hospital, and ways to cope with illness.
• Lactation consultant: Our International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) are specially trained to help families who want to feed their babies human milk. They understand how milk is made and why it’s important for babies. At CHOP, our lactation consultants give caring, personalized support to help each family reach their feeding goals.
• Psychologist: These experts help families based on their unique needs. They can support parents as they bond with their baby in the hospital, help families cope with a diagnosis or medical challenges, and offer support during times of grief or loss.
• Physical and occupational therapists: These therapists work with infants to support their movement, positioning and overall development. They also parents learn ways to interact with their baby and support their growth through everyday activities.
• Speech therapists: These specialists help newborns develop early feeding skills. They check how babies move their mouths and swallow to make sure feeding is safe and goes smoothly.
• Music therapist: This specialist supports the patient's overall care plan using live music in gentle, thoughtful ways to help support a baby’s brain development, responding to the sensitive environment and behavioral cues in the N/IICU. They also utilize meaningful songs and/or songwriting to support patient and family bonding.
• Registered dietitian: This nutrition expert checks your child’s growth and nutrition needs, gives advice on feeding and formula, and teaches families how to support healthy eating.
• Environmental service members: These team members help keep the hospital clean and safe by disinfecting medical equipment, patient rooms and shared spaces. You can recognize them by their navy-blue scrubs.
• Spiritual care: Chaplains are licensed/ordained clergy who offer support for your spiritual and religious needs. They can lead prayers, rituals or ceremonies and help connect families with their own faith leaders when needed.
• Case manager: Your case manager will help your family plan for discharge and will stay in regular contact with your insurance company.

“Don't be afraid or embarrassed to ask questions of your child's care team. That's part of what they are there for! There is no question too small or too silly — you know your child best, and answering your questions is oftentimes just as valuable for your child's doctors as it is for you.” — Anonymous parent quote

In order to keep your child’s room as safe and germ-free as possible, our Environmental Services housekeepers must thoroughly clean your child’s room every day. During this cleaning process, the housekeeper will need to access all areas of the room.

Limiting the amount of personal items in your child’s room allows for more thorough cleaning, which reduces the risk of infection to your child. These tips will help keep your child's room neat and tidy.

Food 

For the safety of our patients, food isn’t permitted in N/IICU rooms. Please use the family lounge or cafeteria for meals and food storage. 

Daily room cleaning

In order to keep your child’s room as safe and germ-free as possible, our Environmental Services housekeepers must thoroughly clean your child’s room every day. During this cleaning process, the housekeeper will need to access all areas of the room.

Limiting the amount of personal items in your child’s room allows for more thorough cleaning, which reduces the risk of infection to your child. These tips will help keep your child's room neat and tidy.

Personal items

• Limit the amount of personal items you have in your child’s room.
• Avoid putting things on counters and bedside stands. Place personal items in drawers and cupboards.
• Please keep the windowsill clear of all personal items.
• Avoid putting personal items on the floor of the room.

For families with extended hospital stays (14 days and longer):

Please bring supplies as needed, instead of bringing everything you’ll need for the whole hospital stay all at once. Please keep only about one week’s worth of clothing in your child’s room. 

Our team is happy to talk with you about what to bring and how to store your items from home. If you’re traveling from out of town and this is hard to do, please talk with your nurse or social worker so we can find the best way to support you and your family.

Toy guidelines 

We know how comforting it can be to bring special items from home for your baby. However, soft items in the crib and/or in any sleep environment are not safe for babies under twelve months of age.

To help keep your baby safe and healthy, we ask that you don’t bring stuffed animals, soft toys or balloons into the N/IICU or near your baby’s bed.  Recent research shows that stuffed animals, balloons and soft toys can collect germs that may make babies sick. This helps us keep the environment clean, safe and calm for your little one.

Some toys made of wipeable materials may be OK for older babies. Your baby’s nurses and developmental team can help you decide when these types of toys are right.

We know this policy may be unique to CHOP's N/IICU, however it’s in place to protect your baby. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk with your developmental or medical team — we’re here to help."

See our full list of approved items for the N/IICU.

Giving your baby medication 

When it’s time to give your baby medicine, our nurses focus closely to make sure everything is done safely and correctly. This time is called the “Safety Zone,” and it’s important that there are no interruptions during this process to help prevent mistakes and keep your child safe. 

We value your role in your baby's care and want you to feel informed and comfortable. If you have any questions about your baby's medicine, we’re happy to talk with you before we enter the Safety Zone. Once the medicine is given, we can also answer any other questions you may have. 

And please remember — if you ever have a concern during medication time, don’t hesitate to speak up. Your voice is important in keeping your baby safe. 

Nursing shift change

Nursing shift change (also called “shift report”) is a quiet time when your baby’s nurse shares important information with the next nurse who will be taking care of your child. To help keep your baby’s care as safe as possible, we kindly ask that you wait to ask questions until the nurses have finished talking. 

Once they’re done, they’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about your baby’s care. 

Thank you for helping us stay focused during this important time. We’re always here to support you and your family.

Understanding How We Use Your Baby’s Legal Name for Safe and Effective Care

We know that your baby’s first hospital stay is a big event, and our team is dedicated to providing the safest, highest quality care for your little one. In this document, we’ll explain why we use your baby’s legal name during this hospital stay and how it helps our team deliver the best care possible.

“Take it one day at a time. Take the smalls wins as they may lead to big victories.” — Anonymous parent quote

As a parent or caregivers, you are an important part of your baby’s care team. There are many ways you can take part in your child’s treatment, growth and development during their hospital stay. One of the most valuable opportunities is joining the care team during medical rounds.

“Trust your mama gut! You are the best advocate for your baby. Don’t be afraid to speak up when you feel something is off or not quite right. But also, trust your baby’s medical team. They are knowledgeable in the medical complexity of your baby. Ask questions, gain knowledge around your baby’s condition, care plan and everything in between.”  — Family-to-Family Advice, Anonymous

Medical rounds

Medical rounds are when a multidisciplinary healthcare team visits each patient as a group to review the baby's status and care plan. Rounds usually happen in the morning or early afternoon, but the time can sometimes change.

The care team, led by the attending neonatologist, includes your baby’s nurses, advanced practice providers, pharmacists, dietitians, case managers, social workers and consultants. Each day, the care team will visit your baby’s bedside to review important information like growth, vital signs, intake and output of nutrition, lab results, and imaging. After checking your baby's condition, the team will make a plan for care.

You’re an important part of your baby’s care team, so we encourage you to join rounds if you’re there. It’s a good chance to share your thoughts, ask questions, or talk about any concerns you have about your baby’s care.

When you share what you’ve noticed and ask questions during rounds, it can help in many ways:

• You and the care team can share important information that may affect your child’s treatment and care planning.
• You get to hear the team talk through different options and ideas for care.
• You stay informed, which can help avoid mistakes.
• It helps keep your child safer.

View these tips for participating in rounds

If you’d like a more in-depth discussion about your baby, the team can return after rounds, or you can ask the social worker to schedule a family meeting.

You might be asked the same questions by different team members. It’s important to answer them, because our care team focuses on every detail. The team works together every day to make the best treatment plan for your child.

You may receive updates throughout the day from your baby’s nurse, hospital provider, or neonatologist. If you would like more frequent updates or have questions that aren’t being answered, please let the team know and they can work to improve communication.

Additional ways to be involved

There are many ways you can stay involved in your baby’s care, growth and development while they’re in the hospital:

• Read to your baby
• Do skin-to-skin care (holding your baby close on your chest)
• Help with diaper changes
• Provide human milk by pumping, and help with mouth care (your baby's nurse can show you how to do this)

"Don’t be afraid to touch or interact with your baby, especially at first. Hold their hand, read to them, change their diaper. The nurses will guide you on how to navigate the lines, wires and tubes.” — Family-to-Family Advice, Ashley, Parent of Grier, Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)  

View these tips for holding your baby in intensive care.

Vaccine education

Vaccines help keep kids healthy. Click here for information on vaccines for your child. Questions? Ask your nurse.

At CHOP, we support every family’s feeding journey — whether that includes breastfeeding or not — and we’re here to help you find the best option for your baby. The lactation team and all of your baby’s care providers at CHOP are very thankful for every drop of milk you make for your baby. It’s a special gift that only you can give. What you’re doing helps us care for your baby and gives them the best possible start in life. Thank you!  

• Your milk is both food and medicine for your baby.
• Colostrum, the first milk your body makes after birth, is especially good for your baby. These golden drops contain high amounts of antibodies to protect your new baby from getting serious infections.
• Your milk is the best nutrition to help your baby develop and grow. It protects your baby’s gut and helps their intestines mature.
• The nutrients in your milk are easier to digest and absorb than infant formula.
• Your milk has special fats to help your baby’s brain and eyes develop.
• Your milk protects your baby from illness and infection. It will help your baby to be healthier now and later in life. It may even reduce your baby’s chance of being readmitted after hospital discharge!

Special babies, special needs

• Your body is ready to start making milk as soon as your baby is born.
• Many sick babies are not able to breastfeed right away.
• Pumping with a double electric breast pump within the first hour after birth and then every two to three hours will help you make milk.
• Your milk can be given to your baby in a bottle or feeding tube.
• We can freeze milk for later if your baby can’t eat just yet.
• Save every drop of milk! Talk to your nurse about using your colostrum or milk for your baby’s mouth care. Even before your baby starts feeding, your milk can help protect them from infection.
• If your goals include feeding your baby at the breast, talk to your baby’s medical team to find out when it’s the right time to start breastfeeding.
• Ask when you can hold your baby skin to skin and let them practice latching. 

All about breastfeeding

• Breastfeeding Basics
• Common Breastfeeding Concerns
• Breastfeeding Babies with Special Needs

Our programs and services

In addition to the programs and services listed here, we also offer support groups and other supportive resources to help you achieve your breastfeeding goals.

• CHOP Mothers’ Milk Bank
• Human Milk Management Center
• Lactation Consultants
• Outpatient Lactation Clinic
• Pump Rooms
• Rental Resources from CHOP Lactation

We understand this is a stressful time for you and your child. Our AngelEye cameras were installed with the intent of lessening the feeling of separation during your time away from the bedside. The AngelEye camera attached to your baby’s bed allows you and your family to “tune in” to a live feed of your baby using your cellphone, so you and your loved ones can see them remotely. 

Logging in to your AngelEye account

• You will receive an invitation email from AngelEye with your login information. Click on the link in the email to go to the login page.
• Once you log in to your account, view your assigned camera by clicking the My Camera tab. You will be taken directly to the camera viewing page.
  • If you are viewing from a smartphone, tablet, Mac or PC, the video stream will work through the following browsers: Mozilla, Firefox, Apple Safari, Chrome, Original Android Browser, or Internet Explorer 10 or newer.
  • If using an iPhone, you can easily access the live video stream by downloading the mobile app: AngelEye Camera Systems.
  • Please do NOT share your specific login information or take video or pictures of the live video feed.

Adding family members to your account

• To create a new family member account, log in and click on the My Family Members tab in the left sidebar.
• Click the Add New Family Member button.
• Fill out the necessary information to create a new account.
• Click Submit.
• Your family member will receive an email with a link to sign in and create their own account. They will now be able to view your baby.
• As the primary account holder, you have the option to turn a family member’s account off. To do this, click the My Family Members tab in the left sidebar. Under the Action column, select the Toggle Access button to turn this member’s access off.

“Make sure to practice self-care during this time. Don't feel the need to be in the hospital 24/7. Your baby is in the best hands. Go take walks outside, get a massage, be at home if you live close, and get as much rest as possible. Reach out to family and friends for support. You will be stronger for your baby if you take care of yourself! —Lauren, parent of Quinn

Helpful hints

• If your cellphone plan does not include unlimited data, using the live video feed can impact your data usage and monthly cellphone costs. Please check with your service provider if you have questions. It is recommended you use WiFi to view your baby whenever you can access a WiFi network.
• The screen may sometimes lag, jump or pixelate depending on the connection speed.
• If you are having technical problems please call the AngelEye Camera System technical support line at 1-855-456-6805. You can also log in to your AngelEye account and click the Tech Support link.

AngelEye camera frequently asked questions

1. When will the AngelEye be on?
   Our bedside nursing staff keeps the AngelEye cameras streaming when your child is in bed, comfortable and not being assessed by providers. The AngelEye camera will be off or turned away during routine care times, if your child is out of bed, or during a procedure.
2. Can I call about the AngelEye?
   We politely ask that you do not call our bedside nursing staff about the AngelEye. Your child’s bedside nurse knows to keep the AngelEye on when appropriate. Calls specifically about the AngelEye camera may interrupt the nurse who is caring for your child. These issues should be handled by technical support (see #6 below).
3. When do I check back if the camera is off?
   If you login to your AngelEye account and see the “Be Back Soon!” screen, it is a moment at the bedside where the camera cannot be streaming the baby. Care times and procedures may take up to an hour or more, so we ask that you give it an hour or two before checking again.
4. Can I touch the AngelEye camera?
   Our AngelEye cameras are considered a piece of hospital equipment at your child’s bedside and should only be handled by bedside staff, including turning them on and off.
5. Who can view the AngelEye livestream?
   You can add as many family members as you please onto your AngelEye streaming page. You can then control their access as necessary.
6. Who do I contact for technical issues?
   Once your baby is admitted and the consent form is signed, it may take 24 hours before gaining AngelEye access. Technical issues can be directed to the AngelEye Support Center at 1-855-456-6805 or support@angeleyehealth.com

“Step away from the bedside, if and when you feel comfortable. You may never feel ready to leave your child's side, but nourishing yourself by taking time away from the N/IICU is just as important as being present.  — Liz, parent of Rosie

While your baby is in the hospital, we want to make sure you feel supported and comfortable. CHOP offers several resources to help families during their stay, including places to sleep, shower, do laundry and relax. Below, you’ll find information about sleep rooms and the Connelly Center hospitality area.

Sleep rooms

• There are a few sleep rooms available for parents of infants in the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU). To use a sleep room, parents need to sign up every day at the N/IICU reception desk. Sleep rooms are given out based on the needs of the baby, the family’s circumstances, and the family’s proximity to the hospital.
• To be considered for a sleep room, please be sure to submit your request slip before 12 p.m., as the West 1 charge nurse collects all completed forms between 12:30 and 1 p.m. each day. This nurse works with the other N/IICU charge nurses to review and assess each family’s request. After the review, your unit’s charge nurse will give the sleep room key to the families who will have a room for the night. The key is given out between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Families can use the sleep room until 7 a.m. If they want to request the room for the next night, they must return the key and sign up again.
• There is no cost to use the sleep rooms, but you must fill out a request form each day you need one.
• Unfortunately, the hospital does not provide overnight accommodations for siblings at this time, so children are not allowed to stay overnight in the sleep rooms.

Hospitality area

What are the hours of the hospitality area?
The hospitality area in the Connelly Center is open to families all day and night. It includes a kitchen, laundry area, sleep rooms for other parts of the hospital, and a lounge. Staff are there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., every day of the week, but the area is not staffed outside of those hours.

Where can I get toiletries?
You can connect with one of the inpatient team coordinators on your unit, and the Connelly Center can provide families with emergency items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, comb and hand lotion when supplies are available.

Where can I find information about the Ronald McDonald House?
To get information about the Ronald McDonald House, check with the social worker assigned to your unit. The Connelly Center library has a family bulletin board with a two-page flyer that includes information about the Ronald MacDonald House. The schedule for the Ronald McDonald House shuttle van, including arrival and departure times, is also posted there. Visit philarmh.org for more information.

How late can I use the laundry area?
The laundry area in the Connelly Center is open to families 24 hours a day. During the day, Connelly staff are available to help with laundry. There is no cost to use the washers and dryers, and laundry detergent is provided for free. Since the laundry room isn’t staffed all day and night, please check on your clothes if you do laundry late at night or early in the morning. If clothes are left in the machines for too long, other family members may move them so they can use the machines.

What resources are available for families with special religious needs?
Families who need assistance to adhere to religious or cultural practices while in the hospital can also reach out to the Chaplaincy Program at CHOP.

MyCHOP is CHOP’s secure online health portal that gives parents and legal guardians access to parts of their child’s medical record. With MyCHOP, you can view test results, medications and appointments, send messages to your care team, and request prescription refills. It’s free to use, available on mobile devices, and designed with strong privacy and security protections. 

See MyCHOP frequently asked questions.

Click here to access the MyCHART Bedside User Guide

Child Life

The role of a child life specialist in the NICU is to help minimize stress for patients and families and make the hospital a more comfortable place. They use play, creative activities and age-appropriate teaching to help siblings understand and cope with baby's hospitalization. They also provide emotional support and guidance related to infant development, procedural support and sibling education while encouraging bonding opportunities and empowering caregivers.

Here are some of the ways we can help:

• Provide appropriate books and toys that help with play and supporting development
• Teach brothers and sisters about the baby’s hospitalization by helping to prepare siblings and explain what they’ll see
• Comfort babies during medical procedures if family members can’t be there; this can include swaddling, holding, soft touches, or offering a pacifier
• Work with families to recognize important milestones and holidays/celebrations during a baby’s hospitalization
• Facilitate unit programming that encourages supportive interactions between patients and caregivers 

All babies have a child life specialist assigned to their treatment team! You can reach them through email NICUchildlife@chop.edu or ask your medical team to be further connected with a child life specialist.

“It’s OK to leave and take a breather for yourself. The baby has the best care team watching after them.”  — Jennifer, parent of Ethan

We offer a broad range of support for your entire family’s well-being during your inpatient stay and beyond. Learn more here.

Psychology

Psychologists offer a range of therapeutic services based on individual family needs. Services include helping parents’ bond with their hospitalized infant, helping a family cope with an infant’s diagnosis and ongoing medical concerns, and supporting families grieving the loss of a child. Psychologists also help the N/IICU team form effective partnerships with families, locate community resources to support parent coping, and engage in research

Social Work

Social Workers in the N/IICU offer a wide range of support and resources to N/IICU families.  Services include mental health assessments, counseling, crisis intervention and support to families coping with life-changing illnesses. In addition to emotional support, social workers partner with families around medical decision making and provide care coordination between families and medical teams.  Social workers help families navigate their hospital stay, coordinate care across hospital and community systems, gain access to financial assistance programs, connect to resources, and prepare for discharge. 

Parent support groups and activities

Parent Activities offer families alternative ways to cope, encouraging peer support through activities such as knitting, scrapbooking, adult coloring, mindfulness training, music therapy and education about infant development.

Be sure to reach out to social work, psychology, or child life with more information on when activities are occurring.

CHOP support groups

• Group of Empowered MOMS (GEMs) – Breastfeeding or pumping? We’re here for you. GEMs is a support group for breastfeeding and/or pumping mothers of CHOP patients. Led by certified breastfeeding counselors, the group offers education and peer support. 

External organizations and support groups

Postpartum Support International
Promotes awareness, prevention and treatment of mental health issues related to childbearing in every country worldwide.

Today is a Good Day
Providing hope and building community through personal and financial support for families who experience the NICU.

Hand to Hold
Hand to Hold provides personalized support before, during and after a NICU stay to help ensure all NICU families thrive.

Once Upon a Preemie
Once Upon A Preemie Inc. is a Black women-led nonprofit organization committed to pioneering solutions for neonatal equity to center Black preemie family experiences. 

“Get support where you can, reach out to other parents and learn as much as you can from your baby’s nurses and medical team.  The NICU can be so isolating, you need other people! I am so grateful for the people I met through my daughter’s NICU experience who will be lifelong friends.” — Family-to-Family Advice, Lauren, Parent of Isabel, Omphalocele

N/IICU Glossary Common Terms >

Helpful information for families 

The mission of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is to advance healthcare for children. To help children get the care that they need, CHOP provides financial assistance for medically necessary and emergency care to patients who meet the eligibility requirements. To find out if you’re eligible and apply, visit our financial assistance policy page.

At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), our mission is to improve the health and well-being of children in our community and around the world. Clinical research allows us to study what medical care works best and ensures we are always providing the best medical care possible. 

What is clinical research?
Clinical research is medical research that involves studying health and illness in people who volunteer to participate. Families play a crucial role in clinical research in our Division of Neonatology. The research you participate in may not provide a direct benefit to you or your child, but it may help doctors and scientists understand your child’s condition better and develop new treatments for the future. 

Why is research important?
Our clinical research aims to find new and better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases in babies and children.  We follow federal guidelines and regulations to ensure protection of all people who participate in clinical research. Our goal is to ensure clinical research is conducted in a fair and just manner and that individuals from diverse backgrounds are included in clinical research to limit health disparities, improve outcomes and increase access to care. 

Why participate in research?
By participating in our clinical research, your family may: 

• Help your child and others who may have or be at risk for certain medical conditions.
• Learn about how your child’s medical condition or disease may develop throughout their lifespan.
• Have the opportunity to try investigational treatments that are not yet available outside of research studies.
• Be part of a breakthrough to improve health in children. 

Whether you decide to participate in research or not will not affect your rights as a patient or your care at CHOP. You can take as much time as you need to decide if a project is right for you. 

What are the different types of research studies?
There are three types of clinical research. They are: 

• Chart review: This is a type of research that does not involve an investigational drug or device. We may ask for your permission to review medical data from your chart, observe your child, or collect some info about you or your family, or you may not be asked to do anything at all. Looking at medical record information from many patients can help researchers understand illnesses or diseases or identify better and faster ways to diagnose certain conditions. These studies can provide key information about neonatal development, growth and challenges that can revolutionize the way we care for babies.
• Observational studies: In this type of research study, you may be asked to complete questionnaires, perform a task or procedure, or provide specimens such as blood, urine or saliva. If you have a medical condition, researchers may use your test results to compare with others who don’t have the condition (called controls), or you could be asked to be a healthy control. This helps scientists understand the differences between people who have certain conditions and those who don’t.
• Clinical trials: This type of research is the best way to test new drugs or compare different procedures to treat or prevent certain diseases or illnesses. You or your child may be asked to take a new drug, complete other types of tests or procedures, answer questionnaires, have blood drawn, and visit the research team on a regular basis. Clinical trials may be conducted in just one hospital, or they may be multi-centered with other hospitals across the U.S. or even around the world.

Interested in participating? 
To learn more about our clinical research and get involved, talk to your care team!

See how we’re leading innovations in pediatric healthcare >

The Ethics Consultation Service (ECS) is a team of staff members from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) who have special training in medical ethics and have a lot of experience helping families and healthcare teams make difficult decisions. The ECS is here to help you and your child’s healthcare team as you work together to make important decisions about your child's care.

The Ethics Consultation Service is a free and confidential service for all patients, families and staff members. When teams and families have ethics questions or concerns, they may ask for an ethics consultation (or ethics consult) so they can talk with someone who understands medical ethics issues.

Click here to learn more.

Before you take your child home, make sure you understand:

• Any special care you will need to provide, such as tube feedings
• Any medications your child may need
• Any symptoms of possible complications from surgery and who to call if your child experiences these symptoms
• When to return for a follow-up appointment

Discharge checklist

Depending on your child’s diagnosis or length of your hospital stay, this list may help ensure you have everything you need before discharge:

• CPR and medication safety or CPR refresher
• Safe sleep knowledge/surface
• Education related to diagnosis and treatment
• Home nursing care set up
• Special foods/dietary items
  • Formula Mixing Education, if needed
• Equipment at home, including training and knowledge
• Discharge summary paperwork
• Medications filled and ready
• Car seat – Understand how to put it in and set it up/check fit
• Breast milk plan – storage/transportation
• Any personal belongings

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses 

The DAISY Award honors nurses who provide exceptional care with compassion. Nurses can be nominated by patients, family members and colleagues. Award recipients are celebrated with a special ceremony and receive meaningful gifts, including a hand-carved sculpture and professional development opportunities. Every nominee is recognized, highlighting the lasting impact of their dedication. Learn more about the Daisy Award, or click one of the links below to nominate a nurse.

DAISY nomination forms: 

• DAISY Nomination Paper Form
• DAISY Nomination REDCap Form
• DAISY Nomination Form (Spanish)
• DAISY Nomination Form (Arabic)

The POPPIES Award: Power of Positive People in Excellent Service 

The POPPIES Award recognizes non-nursing staff who go above and beyond to support nurses and deliver outstanding service. These team members lead with positivity, inspire excellence, and create a culture of trust, compassion and professionalism. The award celebrates the vital role of teamwork in patient care. Learn more about the POPPIES Award, or click one of the links below to nominate a team member. 

POPPIES nomination forms:

• POPPIES Paper Nomination Form
• POPPIES REDCap Nomination Form
• POPPIES Nomination Form (Spanish)
• POPPIES Nomination Form (Arabic)