Delaware facilities must meet standards for newborn care

Licensed facilities that run a newborn nursery or intensive care unit must meet national standards for newborn care. The rule covers licensed facilities operating a neonatal nursery or NICU, a hospital unit that gives critical care to newborns. The standards cover staffing, equipment, facility capabilities, and patient care procedures. The Department must adopt rules to carry out the section by June 30, 2027.

Facilities providing Level IV newborn intensive care must meet added staffing, service, and verification requirements. Level IV care is for critically ill or medically complex newborns whose needs exceed the resources of lower-level units. A facility must have surgical verification from the American College of Surgeons and licensed neonatologists in the specified leadership and on-site roles. It must keep listed pediatric medical and surgical specialists available and provide specified pediatric services on-site.

Designated facilities must report yearly on compliance and notify the state within 30 days after determining they cannot meet certain requirements. These duties apply to facilities designated under this section. After notice, a facility must have a chance to show a good reason for noncompliance or evidence of an active correction plan. A facility may ask for a lower designation and may appeal a state decision about its designation.