Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1502478
46 IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE JULY 2023 A pain shot down into Brandie Tagg's pregnant belly and quickly grew in intensity. Instantly, she knew she needed emergency medical care. Upon arriving at the emergency room, she clutched her stomach and with tears streaming down her face cried out, "Something's wrong with me!" e emergency team checked to see if Brandie was in labor. At just 23 weeks gestation, that possibility hadn't even crossed Brandie's mind. Doctors diagnosed Brandie with HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelets), which usually requires delivery of the baby, and pre-eclampsia, a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure. EIRMC: Equipped to treat the tiniest humans Brandie traveled by ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, which has the region's most experienced Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). "I was definitely scared. I remember texting my family saying, 'I am trying to figure out if I should be excited to see my baby in the NICU or If I should be looking for an outfit to bury her in," Brandie said. "e statistics were not good. ere was only a 30 percent chance she'd live." Although the situation's severity stayed ever pres- ent, Brandie found hope in the extensively trained neonatologists and subspecialty teams at EIRMC. ey explained that the EIRMC NICU provides neonatal care for the smallest patients, born as early as 23 weeks, and cares for sickest pediatric patients in the region. Brandie gave birth via emergency C-section just a few days later. Baby Ruth weighed 15 oz. and mea- sured 10.5 inches long. Her diapers were the size of a debit card, and her body needed significant help breathing, regulating temperature, feeding and more. ankfully, EIRMC's NICU provides the equipment, team members and environment micro preemies needs for growth and development. Customized, specialized care for the small and sick Not only does EIRMC have a Level III NICU, but the hospital also provides many advanced pediat- ric-specific services that aren't available anywhere else nearby. For example, EIRMC cares for severe trauma, burn, bleeding, gastrointestinal and respi- ratory illnesses in the only pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) within a 3.5-hour radius. "e next closest facility with this level of care is all the way in Boise or Salt Lake City. At EIRMC, we provide top-quality pediatric care for those between zero and 18 years old, so families don't need to be sent far away from home – that makes a big difference for our families and the healing process," explained Jeanette Dyer, EIRMC Pediat- ric Services manager. Jeanette also said healing looks and feels different for pediatric patients than adults, so EIRMC goes HEALTH & WELLNESS I PEDIATRIC CARE EIRMC: Providin g BIG Care For Our Smal lest, Sickest Patients By Jessica Poe