Abrazo Arrowhead Campus has started construction on an 8,500 square-foot expansion for the hospital’s neonatal unit for preterm babies.

The new rooms will be adjacent to Abrazo Arrowhead’s existing Level IIIA perinatal care center, which continues to be open for patient care during construction.

The multimillion dollar addition will increase the unit’s size from 21 to 35 beds, and support enhanced capabilities to pursue certification as a higher Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for more complex maternal and neonatal medical conditions, obstetric and fetal complications.

The project is expected to be completed later this year.

More than 3,000 babies, including high order multiple births like triplets, are born every year at Abrazo Arrowhead.

“With this strategic expansion, Abrazo Arrowhead Campus will be able to serve more families and keep moms and babies together in their community,” said Dr. Amit Agrawal, medical director of Neonatology.

The expansion will allow our providers and caregivers to offer an even higher level and care for babies of all gestational ages after the new unit is certified by the state,” explained Abrazo Arrowhead Campus CEO Stephen Garner.

Abrazo Arrowhead is already certified to care for premature infants as young as 28 weeks gestation. Pursuit of the Level IIIB NICU certification means the hospital will be capable of providing complex care for babies of any gestational age, explained Chief Nursing Officer Julie Bowman.

The hospital continues to enhance its clinical services in addition to women’s and infants care, including in heart and vascular, orthopedics, general surgery and more, Garner said.

“The future of Abrazo Arrowhead Campus is bright and I am proud of our hospital’s commitment to increasing access to high quality, specialty care closer to home for our Northwest Valley community,” Garner said.

For more information about Abrazo Arrowhead Campus, visit AbrazoHealth.com.