Publication:

Neonatal transitional care unit: a new concept in India

In this era of increasing healthcare cost, the role of economic evaluation of healthcare interventions has become increasingly important in India. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stays are amongst the most expensive kind of hospitalizations. The Neonatal Transitional Care Unit (NTCU), in an area where the moderately affected new-born babies are managed near the mother. This is widely prevalent in western countries; however, is still a new concept in countries like India. In current scenario in India, any baby born with issues is transferred to NICU. There are certain medical conditions in newborn babies which can be managed in NTCU instead of transferring the babies to NICU. In NTCU these babies are managed under close supervision by qualified nursing staff and pediatricians where the parents act as main carers. This helps in early mother-infant bonding and also cost reduction. This has shown to have improved neonatal outcome, lesser duration of hospital stay, improved maternal and infant bonding and overall cost reductions.