Regionalization of neonatal care: benefits, barriers, and beyond

Abstract

The goal of regionalization of neonatal care is to improve infant outcomes by directing patients to hospitals where risk-appropriate care is available. Although evidence shows that regionalized, risk-appropriate neonatal care decreases mortality, especially for high-risk infants, the approach and success of regionalization efforts in the U.S. and around the world is highly variable. Barriers to regionalization exist on the patient, provider, hospital, state, and national levels, which highlight potential opportunities to improve regionalization efforts. Improving neonatal regionalized care delivery requires a collaborative approach inclusive of all stakeholders from patients to national professional organizations, expansion and adaptation of current policies, changes to financial incentives, cross-state collaboration, support of national policies, and partnership between neonatal and obstetric communities to promote comprehensive, regionalized perinatal care.