Overview - NIDCAP Nursery Certification Program
The NIDCAP Nursery Certification Program (NNCP), under the auspices of the NIDCAP
Federation International (NFI), seeks to recognize the excellence of a hospital
nursery's commitment to and integration of the principles of the Newborn
Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) for infants
and their families.
To this end a series of Criterion Scales have been developed to assess the level
of individualization, family-centeredness, and developmental support the nursery
provides for the infants and families in its care as well as for the staff
involved in delivering such care. The Criterion Scales are grouped by the areas
assessed, which include:
- Physical Environment of the Hospital and Nursery
- Philosophy and Implementation of Care: Infant
- Philosophy and Implementation of Care: Family
- Philosophy and Implementation of Care: Professional and Staff Members
NIDCAP Nursery Certification is both a goal and a process. Nurseries that apply
for this certification will, by the process of the application and by their self
evaluation, define the areas of their current strengths and areas for future
growth.
A site visit by an NFI designated NNCP Review Team of three NIDCAP Professionals
with complementary backgrounds (Neonatology, Nursing and one of the
Developmental Disciplines) will identify and confirm strengths and, as
indicated, provide guidance towards growth and successful certification.
I am struck by (the NFI's) organizational culture, a culture that includes
justifiable pride in a job well done so far, coupled with a desire to do even
more. Nowhere is this more evident than in the burgeoning initiative with the
NIDCAP Nursery Certification Program. … It is exciting to imagine the potential
offered by the NIDCAP Nursery Certification Program for systemic change by
further integrating the NIDCAP approach in our health care system.
D. Wahl, Executive Director, NFI
(Developmental Observer, Vol.
2 No. 1)