Health Check: Hospital wing attracts international attention

PROVIDENCE—Women & Infants Hospital is getting international attention.

The hospital’s new South Pavilion is about ready to open after five years of planning and two years of construction.

The wing is the largest of its kind in the nation, and it will house high-risk pregnant women and newborns who require intensive care.

The expansion is also attracting interest from overseas.

A delegation from the Prevention of Prematurity in Taiwan traveled quite a distance to see what all the fuss is about at this country’s newest neonatal intensive care unit. 

“They brought hospital administrators, neonatologists, obstetricians, nurses—a whole delegation to come and look at different models of care for their new facility that they’re considering building,“ said Dr. James Padbury of Women and Infants.

Armed with cameras and questions, it was a jaw-dropping experience for them.

“They did not know about the single family room concept for neonatology before they came, and they listened just intently at every word we told them,“ Padbury said.

They learned about a high-tech neonatal intensive care unit that is not only family friendly and private, but one that is technologically advanced.

“Pride not arrogance—I think this is the best NICU in the country right now,“ Padbury said.

The public is invited to check out the new Women and Infants Hospital South Pavilion from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The hospital is located at 101 Dudley St. in Providence.