Table 1.

Operational Definitions of Infant Acuity Levels Originally Described by AAP/ACOG

Infant Acuity Level	Original Description	Operational Definition
1	Continuing care	Infant only requiring PO or NG feedings, occasional enteral medications, basic monitoring. May or may not have a heparin lock for meds.
2	Requiring intermediate care	Stable infant on established management plan, not requiring significant support. Examples would include: Room air, supplemental oxygen or low flow nasal cannula, several meds.
3	Requiring intensive care	Infant is stabilized, though requires frequent treatment and monitoring to assure maintenance of stability. Examples would include: Ventilator, CPAP, high-flow nasal cannula, multiple IV meds via central or peripheral line.
4	Requiring multi-system support	Infant requires continuous monitoring and interventions. Examples would include: Conventional ventilation, stable on HFV, continuous drug infusions, several IV fluid changes via central line.
5	Unstable, requiring complex critical care	Infant is medically unstable and vulnerable, requiring many simultaneous interventions. Examples would include: ECMO, HFV, nitric oxide, frequent administration of fluids, medication.

Note. AAP/ACOG, American Academy of Pediatrics & American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (1992; 2007). PO, by mouth; NG, nasogastric; CPAP, continuous positive airway pressure; IV, intravenous; HFV, high-frequency ventilation; ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.