Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Levels of Care - Version 1.0 - Updated March 2021

Oct 5, 2026

Guidance Document from Critical Care Services Ontario (CCSO) outlining revised Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) levels of care for Ontario. Version 1.0 updates criteria intended for current practice in level 2 and level 3 NICUs, based on evidence-informed practice and input from key stakeholders. It supports consistent access to appropriate care close to home, incorporates system-level evaluation data from 2018, and aligns with prior Maternal and Neonatal Levels of Care work completed by PCMCH in 2011 and updated in 2013.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction to Critical Care Services Ontario

Acknowledgments

1. Introduction

1.1 Introduction to the Guidance Document

2. Enhancing NICU Critical Care Levels in Ontario

2.1 Background for the NICU Levels of Care

3. Suggested Human Resource Requirements for NICUs

3.1 Physician

3.2 Nursing:

3.3 Allied health:

4. Revised NICU Levels of Care (2021)

4.1 Gestational Age and Weight Criteria

5. Conclusion

6. References

| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Levels of Care | | --- | | Guidance Document
Version 1.0 | | Critical Care Services Ontario
Updated March 2021 | This report is a product of Critical Care Services Ontario (CCSO). Copyright © 2021 by Critical Care Services Ontario. All rights reserved. For more information, please contact: Critical Care Services Ontario Phone: 416-340-4800 x 5577 Email: [info@ccso.ca](info@ccso.ca) Website: [www.criticalcareontario.ca](www.criticalcareontario.ca) CCSO is funded by the Government of Ontario. | Levels of Care Guidance Document for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | | | --- | --- | | Version 1.0 | Developed February 2021 | | Contact for Questions and Submissions | Critical Care Services Ontario
Email: [info@ccso.ca](info@ccso.ca)
Phone: 416-340-4800 ext. 5577 | Introduction to Critical Care Services Ontario Established in 2005, Critical Care Services Ontario (CCSO) was initially responsible for the early implementation of Ontario’s Critical Care Strategy. Today CCSO continues to function with a provincial focus coordinating and developing integrated system solutions for Ontario’s critical care system and associated specialty programs. CCSO’s work is the result of an ongoing collaboration between critical care providers, hospital administrators, and regional and provincial health system partners including the Ministry of Health. CCSO has been an instrumental component in the evolution of an integrated critical care system for Ontario. Working closely with system partners, CCSO’s implementation of improvement initiatives has facilitated a stronger networked system of care, the development of knowledge translation and educational opportunities, and data analytics to support performance management and system standards. CCSO provides leadership to facilitate system change and provincial alignment to advance critical care services underpinned by a framework for system improvement. This has been applied across all CCSO program areas including Adult, Paediatric and Neonatal Critical Care, as well as specialty programs in Neurosurgery, Trauma and Burns, and the Life or Limb Policy. ( [https://criticalcareontario.ca/about/\#overview](https://criticalcareontario.ca/about/#overview) ) . Contents Introduction to Critical Care Services Ontario ............................................................................................... 3 Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................................................ 5 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 Introduction to the Guidance Document................................................................................................... 6 2. Enhancing NICU Critical Care Levels in Ontario ................................................................................................... 6 2.1 Background for the NICU Levels of Care ................................................................................................ 6 3. Suggested Human Resource Requirements for NICUs......................................................................................... 7 3.1 Physician ............................................................................................................................................ 7 3.2 Nursing: .............................................................................................................................................. 7 3.3 Allied health: ...................................................................................................................................... 7 4. Revised NICU Levels of Care (2021) ........................................................................................................

FAQs

What is the purpose of the NICU Levels of Care guidance document?

The document was developed to create revised levels of care criteria applicable to current practice within level 2 and level 3 NICUs in Ontario, using evidence-informed practice and stakeholder input.

Which units and care levels does the guidance apply to?

It applies to NICUs delivering level 2 and level 3 care, supporting consistent and appropriate access to care close to home.

What criteria does the 2021 revised levels of care section include?

The guidance includes gestational age and weight criteria as part of the revised NICU levels of care (2021).

Oct 5, 2026

Uploaded by Emma Wilson