BPD Facilities

The inpatient component of the Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia is housed in one of Nationwide Children’s newest neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and offers 28 infant spaces. Leading the country in design and development, the inpatient area was one of the first nationally to incorporate new standards specifically designed to facilitate the sensory development of premature children by including:

• Large open windows to allow for visual development by utilizing light cycling

• Large rooms with space to accommodate BPD occupational and physical therapy sessions

• Private rooms to encourage families to stay with their children and better prepare for the transition home

Taking into account that some children can stay in the NICU for 18 months and longer, these rooms allow the family to experience some level of privacy which helps to foster closer relationships with their children. This also helps families expose their children to some of the daily culture and transitions they would experience at home.

Outpatient

Once at home, patients and families are followed on a regular basis in the outpatient portion of the BPD program. During each outpatient visit, patients and families are seen by a:

• Physician

• Nurse

• Nutritionist

• Social worker

• Physical therapist

• Occupational therapist

One of the main goals of the outpatient visits is to foster collaboration between pediatricians and families to address the nutritional, developmental, general medical, and social services needs for each patient for long-term development.