Recognition for Excellence in Neonatal Care: Stead Family Children’s Hospital Achieves National Designation by AAP
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital has distinguished itself by becoming one of the first facilities in the nation to be recognized by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) under its newly established Neonatal Excellence Program. This important designation is awarded to NICUs that meet rigorous criteria in neonatal care, including health outcomes, expertise, and resources.
The AAP’s Neonatal Excellence Program aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of neonatal care facilities. The program evaluates various aspects of NICU operations, ranging from patient outcomes to adherence to established care standards, all intended to enhance the quality of neonatal services across the United States. Stead Family Children’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis have been identified as the inaugural recipients of this national designation.
Dr. Patrick McNamara, the director of the Division of Neonatology at Stead Family Children’s Hospital, emphasized the significance of this recognition in a recent statement. “Stead Family Children’s Hospital has a longstanding global reputation in the care of extremely preterm infants and the emerging field of neonatal hemodynamics,” he stated. McNamara expressed gratitude for the designation, underscoring the commitment of the hospital’s team to deliver the highest level of care for the most vulnerable newborns, which aligns with the AAP’s advocacy for enhanced neonatal standards nationwide.
Iowa’s only Level 4 NICU, the Stead Family Children’s Hospital boasts the highest level of neonatal care recognized by the AAP. This designation enables the facility to provide specialized attention to the most critically ill and smallest infants, further supported by the state’s sole nationally ranked neonatology program.
Dr. Eric Eichenwald, NVP Medical Director and chairperson of the AAP Committee on Fetus and Newborn, highlighted the program’s broader impact, stating, “Every child in every community deserves access to high-quality health care.” Eichenwald noted that the verification process would empower hospitals across the country to elevate the standard of newborn care, thereby benefiting local families and communities.
A key aspect that sets the NICU at Stead Family Children’s Hospital apart from others nationwide is its multidisciplinary collaboration. The unit incorporates specialty teams focused on neonatal hemodynamics, lung rehabilitation, and neurocritical care, offering expert support to manage complex cases. Notably, the NICU at Stead Family Children’s Hospital also reports the highest survival rate for extremely preterm infants—some as young as 22 weeks—across North America, further underscoring its commitment to innovative and effective neonatal care.
In conclusion, the recognition from the AAP represents a significant advancement for both UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the field of neonatal care as a whole, affirming the vital role such institutions play in safeguarding the health and well-being of the youngest patients. As the hospital continues its mission to deliver unparalleled care, it sets an elevated standard for other institutions striving to improve neonatal health outcomes across the country.
