Dr. Alex Karev checking vitals on a preemie in the NICU.
A neonatal intensive care unit (commonly referred to the NICU) is an intensive care unit specializing in the care of ill or premature newborn infants. A NICU is typically directed by one or more neonatologists and staffed by nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician assistants, resident physicians, and respiratory therapists. Many other ancillary disciplines and specialists are available at larger units.
Seattle Grace Hospital commanded a world-class NICU formerly under the direction of the Chief of OB/GYN and Neonatal Surgery, Dr. Addison Montgomery. After her departure to LA, it is unknown who serves as the NICU-chief; however, pediatric surgeons and other attendings on the surgical staff tended to act as the NICU's leadership.
After the merger with Mercy West Medical Center and the re-organization with the hospital board's leadership, the NICU is now part of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
St. Ambrose Hospital also houses a NICU, presumably under the direction of neonatologists and pediatric surgeons.
Notable Cases in the NICU
Grey's Anatomy
Private Practice
Notes and Trivia
- Pink NICU gowns are typically worn by hospital staff and visitors prior to entering.
- Because Grey's Anatomy primarily focuses on surgeons, neonatologists are neither mentioned or featured, despite their real-world day-to-day involvement in the NICU.
- The following main characters' children were NICU-patients:
- Grey's Anatomy
- Sofia Robbin Sloan Torres
- Bailey Grey Shepherd
- Private Practice
- Georgia King-Freedman
- Caroline King-Freedman
- Rachel King-Freedman
- Grey's Anatomy