Driscoll Children’s Hospital, part of the Driscoll health system in South Texas, US, has opened a 60-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Located on the fifth floor of Driscoll’s Pavilion, the 26,000ft² NICU features a hybrid room model that includes 18 private patient rooms, three twin rooms and nine four-bed open bay rooms.

This design aims to deliver critical care while providing a family-centred environment that is conducive to healing.

Driscoll Children’s Hospital NICU director Chris Joyal said: “This NICU represents the future of neonatal care in South Texas.

“It’s a space where advanced medicine and compassionate care come together, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our tiniest patients.”

The NICU is a replacement for Driscoll Children’s Hospital's previous NICU unit and maintains its status as the only Level IV NICU in South Texas.

Over the past two years, Driscoll has worked to expand its NICU capacity by opening a 24-bed neonatal care centre at CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital and a hospital with 63 NICU beds in the Rio Grande Valley.

The health system operates the largest NICU network in South Texas, managing more than 200 NICU beds across the region.

Driscoll Children’s Hospital vice-president of marketing and development Sean Pieri said: "Driscoll has been unwavering in its commitment to expanding neonatal care across South Texas.

“With every new NICU bed, we are ensuring that no family must face the uncertainty of critical newborn care alone.

“This latest advancement reflects our vision to bring life-saving care closer to home, no matter where a child takes their first breath. Thank you to the donors who made this moment possible." 

Last May, Driscoll opened the Driscoll Pediatric Cardiology Clinic, a paediatric cardiology facility in El Paso, Texas.

The facility features a range of cardiac care among other services for patients with congenital heart disease.