Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - Levels of Care - United States - NICU: Level 3 (advanced Specialty)

NICU: Level 3 (advanced Specialty)

• Level 3A: Level 3a has the capabilities to provide comprehensive care for infants born at 28 weeks’ gestation and weighing 1000g provide sustained life support limited to conventional mechanical ventilation perform minor surgical procedures such as placement of central venous catheter or inguinal hernia repair
• Level 3B: Level 3b has the capabilities to provide comprehensive care for extremely low birth weight infants (1000g and 28 weeks’ gestation) advanced respiratory support such as high-frequency ventilation and inhaled nitric oxide for as long as required. Prompt and on-site access to a full range of pediatric medical subspecialists. Advanced imaging, with interpretation on an urgent basis, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and echocardiography. Pediatric surgical specialists and pediatric anesthesiologists on site or at a closely related institution to perform major surgery such as ligation of patent ductus arteriosus and repair of abdominal wall defects, necrotizing enterocolitis with bowel perforation, tracheoesophageal fistula and/or esophageal atresia, and myelomeningocele.
• Level 3C: Level 3c has the capabilities of a level IIIB NICU and also is located within an institution that has the capability to provide ECMO and surgical repair of complex congenital cardiac malformations that require cardiopulmonary bypass.