Qualitative analysis of latent safety threats uncovered by in situ simulation-based operations testing before moving into a single-family-room neonatal intensive care unit.

Objectives: We aimed to identify: (a) latent safety threats (LSTs) in a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through simulation-based pre-occupancy operations testing, and (b) LSTs that remained unresolved 1-year post-occupancy.

Study Design: In this qualitative study, 111 healthcare professionals participated in patient care simulations and debriefings in a new NICU. Debriefing transcripts were inductively analyzed to characterize LSTs.