Neonatal Rapid Response Systems

The first 4 weeks in the life of an infant are considered the neonatal period, during which many complex physiological changes occur. The varying presentation of pathology in the mother and baby dyad, the fundamental differences in neonatal physiology, and the progress of physiological adaptation necessitate a wide spectrum of newborn care requirements. Adequate preparation, anticipation, accurate evaluation, and prompt support initiation are critical for successful neonatal resuscitation to improve neonatal outcomes. While centralized models of perinatal and neonatal care demonstrate improved outcomes for both high-risk mothers and infants, the presentation and subsequent delivery of both premature and sick term neonates happen unexpectedly within all levels of care facilities. Robust newborn rapid response systems are necessary to facilitate the postnatal management and/or need for expert transfer in a timely manner. Outlined are key considerations for both internal and regional system-level requirements for the development of a consistent and interconnected network for newborn rapid response care.