POCATELLO, Idaho — Portneuf Medical Center has transformed how it cares for the region’s most fragile patients.

This winter, the hospital completed renovations to its neonatal intensive care unit that added a dedicated four-bed ward for micropreemies — babies born at or before 26 weeks gestation — along with a new telehealth program to extend that expertise beyond its walls.

The new “Small Baby Unit” was built with neurological development in mind. Soundboards and rubberized flooring reduce noise, while dimmable lighting creates a dim, calm environment designed to mimic conditions in the womb.

“The first few weeks of life are a critical window for a micropreemie’s brain development,” said Dr. Elizabeth O’Donnell, a neonatologist at PMC. “By controlling the environment through minimizing light and sound, we can protect their fragile nervous systems and ensure the best long-term developmental outcomes.”

The expansion brings PMC’s total NICU capacity to 20 beds, making it one of the largest in Idaho. Care is provided by an interdisciplinary team that includes neonatologists, neonatal nurse practitioners, neonatal nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, and specialists in speech, occupational and physical therapy.

Alongside the new unit, PMC has launched a pilot tele-NICU program that allows its neonatologists to consult in real time with physicians at smaller regional hospitals. The service is designed to provide expert oversight to newborns immediately after birth, wherever they are, and to help stabilize infants before transfer to PMC if a higher level of care is needed.

“Our goal is to ensure that every baby in our region has access to high-level neonatal expertise, regardless of where their journey begins,” Dr. O’Donnell said. “Tele-NICU allows us to support our colleagues at smaller facilities, providing peace of mind to families.”

PMC’s NICU program also emphasizes continuity of care. Neonatologists collaborate with obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists to build individualized care plans, and a follow-up clinic monitors patients’ growth and development into early childhood.

Portneuf Medical Center is a 205-bed regional tertiary care center and Level II Trauma Center accredited by The Joint Commission. More information about its NICU services is available at portneuf.org.