FAQ: What are hospitalists? The physicians at NICS are considered “hospitalists.” They specialize exclusively in caring for sick newborns and well babies in the hospital environment. Once the infant is released from the hospital, he or she returns to the care of his or her regular pediatrician. Why was NICS involved in my wellborn baby’s care? Accessing our expertise helps create the highest-quality neonatal service and define the optimal relationship between patient, physician and hospital. Many area pediatricians regularly refer their infant patients, wellborn and critically ill, to NICS physician and nurse practitioners during the babies’ hospital stay. What is important for babies on Medicaid? If a baby is on Medicaid it’s imperative that the parents schedule and attend appointments with the Medicaid office in order to maintain eligibility. What is RSV? Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common, highly-contagious virus. It infects half of all children during their first year of life, and, by age five, many children have been infected at least once. While most infections are mild, RSV can cause severe illness in premature infants or full-term infants with chronic lung disease or heart problems. More than 100,000 infants are hospitalized each year due to severe illness, such as pneumonia, caused by RSV. What changes should I make with my insurance company in preparation for a new baby? Ensure new babies are added to any existing insurance policies (including health) and review and update other important papers, such as beneficiary information. Generally, new parents must enroll babies within a very short time after delivery. What is a neonatologist? Neonatologists are pediatricians who have completed 3 extra years of training to specialize in the care of critically ill newborns. They are trained specifically to handle the most complex and high-risk situations as well as routine newborns up to 2 months of age.