1. Introduction & Definition
- Level: Level III Newborn Care facility.
- Location: District Hospitals (DH) or sub-district hospitals.
- Criteria: Mandatory for any health facility conducting >3,000 deliveries per year.
- Scope: Provides care to sick newborns (including low birth weight and preterm) but excludes those requiring mechanical ventilation or major surgery.
2. Location and Design
- Proximity: Distinct area close to the Labor Room/Operation Theatre to minimize transport time.
- Environment:
- Temperature: Maintained between 26°C – 28°C (78.8°F – 82.4°F).
- Lighting: Well-illuminated with cool white fluorescent/LED lights; shadow-free.
- Access: Controlled entry to prevent infection; no passage for general traffic.
3. Planning and Space Requirements
- Bed Strength Calculation:
- Intramural: 3 beds per 1,000 annual deliveries.
- Extramural: Add 30% buffer for outside referrals.
- Example (3000 deliveries): 9 intramural + 3 extramural = 12 Beds.
- Unit Size: Minimum 100 sq. ft. per bed total.
- Clinical Area: 50 sq. ft. per bed.
- Ancillary Area: 50 sq. ft. per bed (Nursing station, storage, clean/dirty utility).
- Hand Washing: Elbow-operated stations within 20 feet of every bed.
4. Zoning
- Baby Care Area: Divided into interconnected rooms (e.g., isolation, preterm) separated by observation windows.
- Ancillary Areas:
- Gowning area at entrance.
- Clean utility (medication/fluid prep).
- Soiled utility (waste holding).
- Side laboratory.
- Mothers’ area (for breastfeeding/KMC).
5. Staffing (Standard 12-Bed Unit)
- Physicians: 3 (to ensure round-the-clock cover).
- Staff Nurses: 10 (Minimum 2 per shift; accounts for leave reserve).
- Support Staff: 4 (Cleaning and hygiene).
6. Essential Equipment
- Thermoregulation: Radiant warmers (Open care systems).
- Respiratory: Oxygen concentrators, hood, nasal prongs, pulse oximeters.
- Jaundice Mgmt: Phototherapy units (single/double surface).
- Fluid Mgmt: Infusion pumps/Syringe pumps.
- Others: Resuscitation kits, electronic weighing scales, suction pumps.