NICU Verification Program Frequently Asked Questions

Participating in the AAP NICU verification process helps your facility elevate the quality of care by obtaining an objective, collaborative, and consultative review of your facility’s personnel and resources by leading experts in neonatal care.

Broad adoption of risk-appropriate neonatal care standards and verification processes assures newborns receive care in facilities equipped with the right expertise and resources, helping to reduce disparities, improve outcomes, increase transparency of capabilities, and advance health equity.

The lack of standardized or state-specific risk-appropriate neonatal care policies is a barrier to the delivery of consistent, high-quality neonatal care. By establishing and implementing risk-appropriate neonatal care standards, the NICU Verification Program believes that the AAP will improve neonatal outcomes by ensuring that every baby receives care in a facility with the personnel and resources appropriate for the newborn’s needs and condition. Furthermore, the "Standards for Levels of Neonatal Care: II, III, & IV" will elevate the national level of neonatal care by achieving equitable and standardize care for all newborns which will positively impact the morbidity and mortality of the nation’s most vulnerable population.

The AAP NICU Verification Program is the leading authority in neonatal verification, having developed the standards for each level of neonatal care as outlined in the "Standards for Levels of Neonatal Care: II, III, & IV". The NICU Verification Program prides itself on its collaborative approach and strives to optimize neonatal care through an objective and consultative review of your facility’s personnel and resources by leading experts in neonatal care.

Email the NVP team or complete the preliminary application.

Neonatal verification surveys can be conducted virtually, on-site, or hybrid. Utilizing leading experts in neonatal care, the NVP creates a collaborative and consultative learning environment through:

• Interviews with facility-specific neonatal care providers and ancillary team members:
• Review of patient safety and quality improvement initiatives; and
• In-depth review of care provided.

Participating in the AAP NVP verification and designation process helps your facility elevate the quality of care by obtaining an objective, collaborative, and consultative review of your neonatal program’s personnel and resources. 

Fees are based on the level of survey requested (Level II, III, or IV) and the organization responsible for verifying the facility’s level of neonatal care. Please contact the NICU Verification Program  for information about fees.

Questions can be directed to the NICU Verification Team.