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Level I Maternal and Neonatal Center Designations Application Information
Level I Maternal and Neonatal Center Designations Application Information
Hospitals seeking a designation as a Level 1 Maternal Center should contact The Joint Commission Maternal Verification Program at, The Joint Commission.
Level I hospitals seeking designation as a Neonatal Center should contact
[email protected] The AAP does not survey Level I Neonatal Centers.
Fees
There is no fee for Level I hospitals seeking designation. DPH covers the on-site survey and three year annual fee from The Joint Commission. -
Level II, Level III, and Level IV Maternal Center Designation Application Information
Level II, Level III, and Level IV Maternal Center Designation Application Information
Hospitals seeking designation as a Level II, Level III, or Level IV Maternal Center will apply to The Joint Commission (TJC) Maternal Verification Program. Hospitals will submit a preliminary application (The Joint Commission), complete a Pre-Review Questionnaire, and host a multidisciplinary team for a site survey. Within 90 days of the site survey, hospitals will submit an application to DPH, which must include the site survey report. DPH will issue the final determination.
Fees
DPH has a partnership with TJC to cover a portion of the cost of the survey. This is based on the level of survey needed. -
Level II, Level III, and Level IV Neonatal Center Designation Application Information
Level II, Level III, and Level IV Neonatal Center Designation Application Information
Hospitals seeking designation as a Level II, Level III, or Level IV Neonatal Center will apply to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) NICU Verification Program. Hospitals will submit a preliminary application, complete a Pre-Review Questionnaire, and host a multidisciplinary team for a site survey. Within 90 days of the site survey, hospitals will submit an application to DPH, which must include the site survey report. DPH will issue the final determination.
Fees
DPH has a partnership with AAP to cover a portion of the cost of the survey. This is based on the level of survey needed.
Maternal and Neonatal Center Designation Program
The Department of Community Health (DCH) provides hospitals with a Certificate of Need (CON) to provide Level I, II, or III perinatal services. The criteria for each level of care are defined by DCH. Hospitals apply for a CON when they open a perinatal service and if they want to be approved for a higher level of care. Hospitals demonstrate in the application process that they can provide that level of care.
The Department of Public Health (DPH) verifies that hospitals have the capability to provide Level I, II, III, or IV neonatal and maternal services. DPH will not verify a hospital at a higher level of care than they are authorized to provide through CON. Hospital participation in the DPH verification process is voluntary.
For neonatal verification, the criteria for each level of care are based on the current American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) national standards. Hospitals seeking neonatal verification through DPH complete a site survey led by AAP every three years.
For maternal verification, the criteria for each level of care are based on the current American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) national standards. Hospitals seeking maternal verification through DPH complete a site survey led by The Joint Commission every three years.
Levels of Care
Levels of maternal and neonatal care provide guidelines that help ensure mothers and infants receive care in a facility that has the personnel and resources appropriate for their level of risk.
DPH requirements for each level of care are listed in Georgia Rules and Regulations 511-5-13. These levels are based on publications from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and guidelines (2023) from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
The Georgia Department of Public Health, The Joint Commission (TJC), the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics now have a collaborative initiative to help reduce maternal mortality and morbidity along with improving outcomes for high-risk newborns.
Application Information:
Facilities:
Questions? Contact [email protected] in the Maternal/Neonatal Designation Program
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Maternal and Neonatal Designation Program FAQs
- AAP NICU Verification Program Webinar with Q&A
- Maternal Levels of Care Webinar Part 1
- Maternal Levels of Care Webinar Part 2
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Designation of Perinatal Centers Rule 511-5-13
Page last updated 9/1/2023