About the Regional Perinatal Center
The Western New York Regional Perinatal Center (RPC) at GCH Buffalo provides a centralized hub for high-risk maternal and newborn care. Our team evaluates and manages pregnancies with high-risk fetuses, ensures safe transfers for critically ill newborns and supports affiliate hospitals across the region.
Key highlights:
- Only hospital in Western New York offering specialized services for high-risk infants.
- Collaborative care between Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM), obstetrics, neonatology and NICU teams.
- Partnerships with 17 regional hospitals across eight counties and three Pennsylvania institutions.
Perinatal Outreach Program
The Perinatal Outreach Program works to fulfill the New York State Department of Health mission for maternal and newborn care. Services include:
- Supporting OB/Pediatric quality improvement at 12 affiliate hospitals in the Western New York Region.
- Managing the Regional Perinatal Data System (PDS) and NICU databases.
- Annual on-site quality of care visits to each affiliate hospital, including:
- Review of perinatal data.
- Assessment of QA/QI programs, policies and procedures.
- Evaluation of care by medical, nursing and other staff.
- Review of maternal and newborn referrals, transfers and retained cases.
- Analysis of adverse perinatal events, fatalities and morbidity.
- Review of pathology reports and significant surgical specimens.
- Assessment of corrective action plans for quality improvement.
- Ongoing consultation and education for affiliate hospitals.
- Development and implementation of affiliation agreements.
- Coordination of patient transport for high-risk mothers and newborns.
Mother and newborn transports
As the Regional Perinatal Center, GCH Buffalo provides 24/7 transport and consultation services for high-risk pregnancies and critically ill newborns across Western New York.
Transport services include:
- Stabilization of high-risk mothers and newborns prior to transfer.
- Ground and air transport by highly trained obstetric and neonatal teams.
- Coordination with referring hospitals to ensure seamless care.
Quality oversight
Golisano Children’s Hospital of Buffalo provides regional quality oversight to affiliate hospitals, helping ensure the highest standards in maternal and neonatal care.
Key quality initiatives:
- Evaluation of perinatal standards of care and professional guidelines.
- Continuing education programs for physicians and nurses.
- Quality improvement site visits and ongoing support.
- Evidence-based educational resources.
- Coordination for patient transfers and continuity of care.
Perinatal Data System (PDS)
The RPC manages the Statewide Perinatal Data System, including birth certificate and NICU modules, to support:
- Aggregate regional and cohort reports
- Affiliate hospital data requests
- Perinatal education and quality improvement initiatives
- Regional perinatal research and policy planning
Reports
The RPC provides detailed regional SPDS reports to support care evaluation, quality improvement and research.
Education & training
The RPC offers a variety of educational opportunities for regional hospitals, including:
Core programs
- Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) – Provider and renewal courses
- STABLE Program – Pre-transport stabilization of newborns
- Fetal Monitoring Classes – On demand for affiliate hospitals
Continuing Education & Grand Rounds
- Obstetric and pediatric grand rounds
- Clinical workshops, didactic programs and case reviews
- Preceptorship programs for hospital staff