The original NICU began in 1969 as an 8-bed infant intensive care ward in Hartford
Hospital’s pediatrics department. A separate premature nursery existed near labor and delivery to care for premature
babies requiring a minimum of additional care. The NICU accepted infants and toddlers
requiring more intensive care, including respiratory support and post-op care.
In 1971, the infant intensive care and premature nurseries were merged in a single
location to form a 26-bed unit, with 8 intensive care and 18 special care beds. By 1980,
this unit became exclusively a newborn intensive/special care ward.
Planning for the new Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in the early 1990s
provided the opportunity to design a much larger, state-of-the art intensive care nursery.
The new NICU opened in November 1995 as part of Hartford Hospital, and was incorporated as
a CCMC department when CCMC opened on April 2, 1996.
Although the NICU is part of CCMC, an important relationship still exists between the
NICU and Hartford Hospital’s perinatal services departments. Couples with high-risk
pregnancies are referred to the NICU as early as possible for information about our
services, and a tour of the unit. Families are given the opportunity to speak to both the neonatologists and members of the
nursing staff, and where it is appropriate, a prenatal plan of care is initiated. The NICU
is provided with updated information on all maternity patients whose babies are potential
admissions to the unit. Once a baby is admitted, the Hartford Hospital post-partum nurses
work closely with NICU nurses to coordinate care for both mother and baby.
