Having to leave your newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a scary and worrisome time for any parent. So when a state of emergency was declared and evacuation orders were placed in New Hanover County on Monday due to the arrival of Hurricane Florence, the concerned parents of two NICU patients rejoiced when they found out their little ones would be safely transported from New Hanover Regional Center (NHRMC) in Wilmington, N.C. to the NICU at Levine Children’s Hospital for continued care using specially equipped aircraft provided by Atrium Health’s MedCenter Air team.
Baby Dariel and Baby Sa’Briyah Brown were both born prematurely, each weighing a little over a pound when they were born. Sa’Briyah was born at 25 weeks before she was transported to NHRMC in Wilmington from Lumberton, N.C. for extra medical care.
Dariel was born at 23 weeks and was also being cared for at NHRMC.
“They came to our NICU so that we can provide the care that they need while we ride out the rest of the storm,” says Megan Elliot, RN. “The babies are doing well, they’re both on the ventilators here so they’re both stable in their beds.”
As soon as conditions are safe enough, both babies are expected to be safely transported back to their homes to be reunited with their families.
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