TeleNICU: Extending the reach of level IV care and optimizing the triage of patient transfers.

Background: The use of telemedicine to provide care for critically ill newborn infants has significantly evolved over the last two decades. Children's Health System of Texas and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center established TeleNICU, the first teleneonatology program in Texas.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Tele Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (TeleNICU) in extending quaternary neonatal care to more rural areas of Texas.