UK neonatal intensive care services in 1996. On behalf of the UK Neonatal Staffing Study Collaborative Group.
A census of activity and staff levels in 1996 was conducted in UK neonatal units and achieved a 100% response from 246 units. Among the 186 neonatal intensive care units, the median (interquartile range) number of total cots was 18(14-22); level 1 intensive care cots 4(2-6); total admissions 318(262-405); very low birthweight admissions 40(28-68); and the number ventilated or given CPAP by endotracheal tube 52(32-83). Forty six (25%) intensive care units lacked the recommended minimum of one consultant with prime responsibility for neonatal medicine. As a conservative estimate 79% of intensive care units had a lower nursing provision than that recommended in previously published guidelines. There was substantial variation in activity and staffing levels among units.
Tucker
J
J
Department of Child Health, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 9SY.
Tarnow-Mordi
W
W
Gould
C
C
Parry
G
G
Marlow
N
N
D006742:Hospital Bed Capacity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload / Q000706:statistics & numerical data