The American Academy of Pediatrics has published a revised policy statement on the definitions of levels of newborn care in Pediatrics.
The revised statement updates previous definitions published in 2004, which established three different levels with subdivisions in the latter two levels. After a review of literature, the AAP created classifications of four basic levels based on the availability of appropriate personnel, physical space, equipment, technology and organization.
For example, level I, a well newborn nursery, requires pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses. Level II, a special care nursery, requires pediatric hospitalists, a neonatologist and neonatal nurse practitioners in addition to level 1 providers. Building on this requirement, level III, a neonatal intensive care unit, also requires pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric surgeons and pediatric ophthalmologists. Level IV, a regional NICU, requires pediatric surgical subspecialists in addition to providers required in Level III.
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The revised statement updates previous definitions published in 2004, which established three different levels with subdivisions in the latter two levels. After a review of literature, the AAP created classifications of four basic levels based on the availability of appropriate personnel, physical space, equipment, technology and organization.
For example, level I, a well newborn nursery, requires pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners and other advanced practice registered nurses. Level II, a special care nursery, requires pediatric hospitalists, a neonatologist and neonatal nurse practitioners in addition to level 1 providers. Building on this requirement, level III, a neonatal intensive care unit, also requires pediatric medical subspecialists, pediatric anesthesiologists, pediatric surgeons and pediatric ophthalmologists. Level IV, a regional NICU, requires pediatric surgical subspecialists in addition to providers required in Level III.
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