A Proposal for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

As the Vice President of Nursing Services, provide a proposal to the hospital’s Board of Directors regarding the establishment of a neonatal intensive care unit.

The 150-bed community hospital currently averages 875 deliveries per year. Babies requiring neonatal care are currently transferred to one of three facilities depending on the level of care needed. The two more acute NICUs are 1.5 to 2.5 hours away from the local hospital. On average, five babies are transferred per month to a NICU. What factors would need to be considered regarding this proposal? If the hospital is located in West Virginia, would a Certificate of Need be necessary? If so, what is the process for submitting a Certificate of Need?