With the huge advances in care for the fetus and the increase in the number of fetal programs around the world, this information aims to educate participants on the needs of the fetal programs, open the dialogue between professionals, and invoke thought as to the impact of these programs on fetal, neonatal, obstetric and children’s hospital facilities.

The focus will be to identify the work based on experience and evidence based design that has taken place to date. The authors and extended committee used a process similar to a different consensus committee’s approach to develop and update Recommended Standards for NICU Design.

The proposed recommended fetal center guidelines aim to address flexibility for future advances in fetal care that are likely to impact fetal centers and NICU facilities. Involvement of neonatologists, NICU nurses and therapists, NICU families, healthcare designers and others can substantially inform and vet the first proposed facility guidelines related to this field and its evolving future. Examples of key drivers that are important to consider when planning or expanding a fetal center facility will be presented along with rationales (e.g., future advances on the horizon, increased collaboration, functions/volumes that need to be accommodated, ethics, locations such as adult patients in a children’s hospital, funding, governance model). The presenters will include discussion of why neonatal professionals, families and others should be informed and contribute to the ongoing development of fetal center design guidelines.

References

· Alexis S Davis; Valerie Y Chock; Susan R Hintz Fetal centers and the role of the neonatologist in complex fetal care Am J Perinatol 2014 Aug;31(7):549-56. Epub 2014 Apr 4.

· Moon-Grady AJ; Baschat A, Cass D; Choolani M, Copel JA; Crombleholme TM, et al. Fetal treatment 2017: the evolution of fetal therapy centers. A joint statement from the International Fetal Medicine and Surgical Society and The North American Fetal Therapy Network. Fetal Diagn Ther 2017;42:241–8

· Eyerly-Webb SA, Ylvisaker H, Beh M, Lim FY, Liechty K, Velasco P, Dion E, Snowise S, Lillegard JB, Feltis B. Understanding the Care Journey and Needs of Advanced Fetal Care Center Patients. Permanente J. 2022 Jun 29;26(2):11-20. Epub 2022 Jun 15

· Abigail Wilpers, PhD, WHNP-BC; Mert Ozan Bahtiyar, MD; David Stitelman, MD; Janene Batten, MLS; Roberto X. Calix, MD; Victoria Chase, MD, BS; Nicholas Yung, MD; Nathan Maassel, MD;Gina Novick, PhD, CNM, FACNM The parental journey of fetal care: a systematic review and meta synthesis Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2021May;3(3):100320 Epub 2021 Jan 23

Problem Statement

Fetal Centers are on the rise throughout the world. The Fetal Therapy Think Tank (FTTT) is a voluntary group of physicians, nurses, planners, manufacturers, architects, family advocates and others collaborating to advance fetal medicine. A subgroup of the FTTT has taken on the process of developing recommended design guidelines for fetal centers. The intent of this presentation is to introduce the process, the results, and encourage future wider engagement in developing guidelines, especially by neonatal professionals, in support of a comprehensive continuum of care extending from fetal life to the NICU and beyond.

Learner Objectives

1. What are the vision and the status of the Fetal Therapy Think Tank’s work?
2. What are the typical structures and compelling issues of fetal programs including how they intersect with the NICU? (Case Studies need to tie into this)
3. What are the facility needs for a fetal program and the needs of the NICU and obstetrics facilities to support fetal programs?