Neonatal Therapy Staffing in the United States and Relationships to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Type and Location, Level of Acuity, and Population Factors.
Publication Title
American journal of perinatology
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-1-2024
Keywords
Infant, Newborn; Infant; Child; Humans; United States; Intensive; oregon; portland; psvmc Care Units, Neonatal; Surveys and Questionnaires; Workforce
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) estimate the total pool of neonatal therapists (occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists who work in the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU]) and the average number represented in each U.S. based NICU, and (2) investigate the relationships between the number and type of neonatal therapy team members to NICU/hospital, population, and therapy factors.
STUDY DESIGN: This study used several methods of data collection (surveys, phone calls, and web site searches) that were combined to establish a comprehensive list of factors across each NICU in the United States.
RESULTS: We estimate that there are 2,333 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions designated to neonatal therapy coverage, with 4,232 neonatal therapists covering those FTEs. Among 564 NICUs with available neonatal therapy staffing data, 432 (76%) had a dedicated therapy team, 103 (18%) had pro re nata (as the circumstances arise; PRN) therapy coverage only, and 35 (6%) had no neonatal therapy team. Having a dedicated therapy team was more likely in level-IV (
CONCLUSION: Understanding the composition of neonatal therapy teams at different hospitals across the U.S. can drive change to expand neonatal therapy services aimed at optimizing outcomes of high-risk infants and families.
KEY POINTS: · We estimated that there are 4,232 neonatal therapists working in NICUs in the United States.. · Dedicated therapy teams for the NICU are more common in large, high acuity NICUs.. · An average of 17 beds per neonatal therapy FTE was observed.. · In 2020, 22% of NICUs had CNTs, and CNTs were more common in large and high acuity NICUs.. · Benchmarking neonatal therapy staffing can aid in expanding NICU therapy services where needed..
Clinical Institute
Women & Children
Specialty/Research Institute
Pediatrics
Specialty/Research Institute
Perinatology/Neonatology
Specialty/Research Institute
Occupational Therapy
DOI
10.1055/a-1678-0002
