1. Intensive Care Nursery (ICN)
58-bed unit—all beds licensed for intensive care
Two paths to admission
Inborn via UCSF Labor + Delivery: fetal referrals (Fetal Treatment Center)/ maternal transfers/UCSF OB + high-risk practices (~2/3 of admissions)
Outborn: transfer after birth (~1/3 of admissions)
Broad geographic catchment area—To Oregon + Nevada borders, Bakersfield, Southern CA and out-of-state
Primary Neonatology service for 90-95% of patients (remainder Pediatric Medicine)
3 Neonatology teams with different attendings
Co-management with primary surgical teams, Cardiology, Neurology

2. ICN: research opportunities
“Level IV” (quarternary) NICU: all neonatal medical + surgical services, including cardiopulmonary bypass (ECMO + intraoperative)
Broad support services for all aspects of neonatal/infant care
Diverse conditions/pathophysiology
Prematurity + sequelae, congenital anomalies (surgical/non-surgical conditions +/- sequelae +/- prematurity), neurological conditions, infection/ sepsis and/or respiratory distress/failure
Acute + chronic illness
Short + prolonged (to 1y chronologic age) hospitalizations
Multi-system disease common
Diverse/varying family backgrounds
Family composition
Language, literacy + numeracy
Resources for inpatient + outpatient care

3. Study screening + recruitment in the ICN
Goals
Optimize access to research for infants/families
Optimize study enrollment for clinical investigators
Limit burden on families from study approaches
Multiple study approaches
Study approaches at times of substantial distress
Enhance clear communication among study teams and with research administration regarding interest in participating in research/specific types of research (observational vs. interventional)

4. ICN process for research protocol review
Letter of support required at time of IRB submission
Investigator(s)/research staff meeting with ICN research leadership
1-2 paragraph synopsis of study aims and procedures
Identify processes to optimize assistance of ICN staff with facilitation/ completion of study aims/procedures and those procedures that will require investigative team effort
Discuss consent process/personnel
Synopsis edited + submitted for publication in monthly ICN newsletter