Ownership of private-equity owned neonatal care and its effect on NICU outcomes
Official title: Ownership of medical practices, use of intensive care service, and neonatal outcomes
Funded at Children's Hosp of Philadelphia · NIH-11416706 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will look at how private-equity ownership of neonatal care groups and hospitals relates to how newborns fare in the NICU, with a focus on U.S. practices.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $734,164 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD117955-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416706 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This study targets newborns in NICU settings and hospitals, particularly those affected by or linked to ownership changes in neonatal care groups.
✕Less likely to help
Care decisions for individual patients may not change during the study, but findings may influence future care delivery at participating sites.
What this research studies
As a parent or patient advocate, you can expect researchers to analyze large healthcare data to see whether ownership structures influence NICU admissions, treatment patterns, and outcomes for newborns. The study will connect data on ownership with neonatal care metrics to identify trends and potential differences in care. Results could highlight where care delivery may be more or less efficient, informing families and clinicians about factors that affect neonatal health. The work is designed to inform policy and practice for better, more consistent neonatal care across hospitals and regions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to clearer understanding of how ownership models impact NICU care, potentially guiding policies toward higher-quality and more equitable neonatal outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: A limited prior finding suggested higher payments with ownership changes but no clear outcome differences; this study expands to neonatal care to determine effects.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lorch, Scott a — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Lorch, Scott a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.