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About Us

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the General Campus of The Ottawa Hospital is the designated high-risk referral centre for Eastern, Southeastern Ontario, Western Quebec and Baffin Island. We are a part of the Ontario Critical Bed registry and as a result, receive patients from our own region as well as from all over Ontario.

We are a 24-bed Level III inborn unit that maintains a high standard of care by providing evidence-based practice through a multidisciplinary approach.

We excel in high-risk neonatal care and specialize in the care of micro-preemies born as early as 24 weeks gestation through a variety of innovative interventions including developmentally supportive care, kangaroo care, co-bedding of multiples, research initiatives and uniquely designed care maps.

The NICU cares for approximately 700 infants annually. Their illnesses can range from extreme prematurity, requiring full life support to full-term infants, requiring intensive care treatment and monitoring. The length of stay ranges from four hours to four months depending on the needs of the infant.

Partners in Care

The NICU is one of three units in the City of Ottawa working together to ensure appropriate and consistent care is delivered to all infants in the region. When an infant has progressed and no longer requires level III intensive care, that infant may be transferred to the Special Care Nursery located at the Civic Campus. Infants who may require special surgical procedures may be transferred to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario.