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Recommended standards for the newborn ICU

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages S4–S19 (2007)Cite this article

The creation of formal planning guidelines for newborn intensive care units (NICUs) first occurred when Toward Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy was published in 1976.1 This landmark publication, written by a multidisciplinary committee and published by the March of Dimes, provided a rationale for planning and policy for regionalized perinatal care, as well as details of roles and facility design. Since then, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) have published several editions of their comprehensive Guidelines for Perinatal Care,2 and the American Institute of Architects has likewise published several editions of their Guidelines for Construction of Hospital and Healthcare Facilities.3 In 1993, Toward Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy was revised.4 The second Toward Improving the Outcome of Pregnancy reviewed medical and societal changes since the original document and formulated new recommendations in recognition of these developments, particularly the ascendance of managed care.

The purpose of this committee is to complement the above documents by providing health-care professionals, architects, interior designers, state health-care facility regulators and others involved in the planning of NICUs with a comprehensive set of standards based on clinical experience and an evolving scientific database.

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  1. Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN, USA

    R D White

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White, R. Recommended standards for the newborn ICU. J Perinatol 27 (Suppl 2), S4–S19 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211837

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