Census/Bed space Guidelines

As overcrowding can predispose to outbreaks of nosocomial infection, the following bed space guidelines have been established for the Vanderbilt NICU, in compliance with state regulations that specify that neonatal patients must be separated by at least 3 feet.

Room                                       Bed space capacity

ECMO room                                          2

Room 1                                                11

Room 2                                                11

Large intermediate                                15

Small intermediate                                   6

“Far East”                                              9

“The closet”                                            4

These guidelines allow for a maximum number of 58 bed spaces in which to optimally care for Vanderbilt’s neonatal patients.  Optimal care for patients may also depend on nurse staffing.

In order to extend the number of bed spaces available for admissions and high acuity, critically ill babies, the “large intermediate” room will be undergoing a transition to a third “high side” NICU room.

When demand for admission to the NICU exceeds available bed spaces, neonatology fellows and attending physicians must seek flexible alternatives in triaging patients to ensure that all newborn patients in the Middle Tennessee area receive the medical care they need.

Established at the Clinical Division Meeting 7/15/2002.