Providence Children’s Hospital receives highest certification

Providence Children’s Hospital just received one of the highest certifications for infant and maternal care.

They’re one of only four hospitals in Texas to have level four certified care in their neonatal intensive care unit, which is the highest level.

Among the beeping machines, crying babies and caring nurses I found little Bryan. He was born with heart and respiratory complications.

Neonatal Intensive Care unite Physician Myrna Chavarria said they care for infants like Bryan all the time.

“On average, we have a census of 35 babies ,” said Chavarria.

Hospitals of Providence Market CEO Sally Deitch said doctors and nurses in the NICU care for infants with all kinds of complex health conditions.

“You can have babies that are born at term, but yet have other issues,” said Deitch. “Possibly congenital issues, and things that happen once they are born. We take care of babies that will fit in the palm of your hand, to a normal regular-sized newborn.”

Providence Children’s Hospital went through a survey from the Texas Department of State Health Services before they were given their certification.

“It is a process that looks at what kind of nursing staff you have, the kind of physicians you have,” said Deitch. “There is a wide range of specialists that you have to have to be able to provide this service to critically ill newborns.”

They were given the highest certification, level four, which allows them to take care of children in the most critical care.

Kaitlynn Escontrias was waiting for an appointment with her baby girl at Providence Children’s. She said the care she and her family have received has been extraordinary.

“I wouldn’t take her anywhere else,” said Escontrias. ” I’d take here here for anything.She was actually born here.”

Escontrias said she’s thrilled the hospital was recognized for their work, and that the Borderland community can benefit from it too.

The certification process stems from a 2013 law that required a formal designation process for all neonatal and maternal care sites across Texas by 2018.