The Neonatal Neurological Examination: Improving Understanding and Performance.

The neonatal neurological examination is a cornerstone in the assessment of a neonate's neurological function. Although current neuroimaging and neurophysiology techniques have markedly improved our ability to assess and diagnose neurologic abnormalities, the clinical neurological examination remains highly informative, cost-effective, and time efficient. Early recognition of abnormal findings can prevent delays in diagnosis and implementation of beneficial therapies. The intent of this article is to improve the understanding and performance of the neonatal neurological examination. A standardized approach to neonatal neurological examination is described, including examination techniques and normal and abnormal findings.

Reduction in Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections in a NICU: Practical Lessons for Its Achievement and Sustainability.

Central venous catheters are commonly used for the provision of parenteral nutrition and medications for critically ill neonates in the NICU. However, central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a major complication associated with their use and remain an important cause of nosocomial sepsis in NICUs. Central line-associated bloodstream infection has shifted from being an expected routine complication of central line use to an adverse event now evaluated as a critical event with the goal of identifying root causes so future CLABSI events are prevented. Success has been achieved through multiple strategies including implementation and maintenance of care bundles, education strategies to promote consistent adherence to bundle components, and institutional and unit support. Although low CLABSI rates can be achieved, sustaining low CLABSI rates and achieving zero CLABSI remain an ongoing challenge. We describe our experience with lessons learned, with an emphasis on the areas of difficulty during implementation of the bundle elements and the strategies and tools we utilized to overcome them.

EPIQ Review.

BACKGROUND: A checklist that promotes compliance with aseptic technique during line insertion is a component of many care bundles aimed at reducing nosocomial infections among intensive care unit patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of bundled interventions that include a checklist during central-line insertions reduces catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients. METHODS: A literature review was performed using methodology adapted from the American Heart Association's International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. RESULTS: Seventeen cohort studies were included. Thirteen studies were supportive of the intervention, while four were neutral. Infection rates ranged from 1.6 to 10.8 per 1000 central-line days in control groups, and from 0.0 to 3.8 per 1000 central-line days in the intervention groups. CONCLUSION: There is fair evidence to recommend the use of care bundles that include a checklist during central-line insertion in intensive care unit patients to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

HISTORIQUE: Une liste de vérification qui favorise le respect d'une technique aseptique pendant l'insertion d'un cathéter fait partie de nombreux « soins regroupés ¼ pour réduire les infections nosocomiales chez les patients à l'unité de soins intensifs. OBJECTIF: Déterminer si le recours à des interventions regroupées qui incluent une liste de vérification pendant l'insertion d'un cathéter central réduit les infections sanguines liées aux cathéters chez les patients à l'unité de soins intensifs. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Analyse bibliographique au moyen de la méthodologie adaptée du comité de liaison internationale sur la réanimation de l'American Heart Association. RÉSULTATS: Dix-sept études de cohorte ont été incluses. Treize étaient favorables à l'intervention et quatre étaient neutres. Le taux d'infection variait entre 1,6 et 10,8 cas sur 1 000 jours-cathéters centraux dans les groupes témoins, et entre 0,0 et 3,8 cas sur 1 000 jours-cathéters centraux dans les groupes d'intervention. CONCLUSION: Les preuves sont acceptables pour recommander l'utilisation de groupes de soins qui incluent une liste de vérification pendant l'insertion d'un cathéter central chez les patients de l'unité de soins intensifs pour réduire l'incidence d'infections sanguines liées aux cathéters.

Use of bundled interventions, including a checklist to promote compliance with aseptic technique, to reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections in the intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: A checklist that promotes compliance with aseptic technique during line insertion is a component of many care bundles aimed at reducing nosocomial infections among intensive care unit patients. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of bundled interventions that include a checklist during central-line insertions reduces catheter-related bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients. METHODS: A literature review was performed using methodology adapted from the American Heart Association's International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. RESULTS: Seventeen cohort studies were included. Thirteen studies were supportive of the intervention, while four were neutral. Infection rates ranged from 1.6 to 10.8 per 1000 central-line days in control groups, and from 0.0 to 3.8 per 1000 central-line days in the intervention groups. CONCLUSION: There is fair evidence to recommend the use of care bundles that include a checklist during central-line insertion in intensive care unit patients to reduce the incidence of catheter-related bloodstream infections.

HISTORIQUE: Une liste de vérification qui favorise le respect d'une technique aseptique pendant l'insertion d'un cathéter fait partie de nombreux « soins regroupés ¼ pour réduire les infections nosocomiales chez les patients à l'unité de soins intensifs. OBJECTIF: Déterminer si le recours à des interventions regroupées, qui incluent une liste de vérification pendant l'insertion d'un cathéter central, réduit les infections sanguines liées aux cathéters chez les patients à l'unité de soins intensifs. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Analyse bibliographique au moyen de la méthodologie adaptée du comité de liaison internationale sur la réanimation de l'American Heart Association. RÉSULTATS: Dix-sept études de cohorte ont été incluses. Treize étaient favorables à l'intervention et quatre étaient neutres. Le taux d'infection variait entre 1,6 et 10,8 cas sur 1 000 jours-cathéters centraux dans les groupes témoins, et entre 0,0 et 3,8 cas sur 1 000 jourscathéters centraux dans les groupes d'intervention. CONCLUSION: Les preuves sont acceptables pour recommander l'utilisation de groupes de soins qui incluent une liste de vérification pendant l'insertion d'un cathéter central chez les patients de l'unité de soins intensifs pour réduire l'incidence d'infections sanguines liées aux cathéters.

A Multicenter Collaborative to Improve Postoperative Pain Management in the NICU.

OBJECTIVES: This quality improvement initiative aimed to decrease unrelieved postoperative pain and improve family satisfaction with pain management. METHODS: NICUs within the Children's Hospitals Neonatal Consortium that care for infants with complex surgical problems participated in this collaborative. Each of these centers formed multidisciplinary teams to develop aims, interventions, and measurement strategies to test in multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. Centers were encouraged to adopt evidence-based interventions from the Clinical Practice Recommendations, which included pain assessment tools, pain score documentation, nonpharmacologic treatment measures, pain management guidelines, communication of a pain treatment plan, routine discussion of pain scores during team rounds, and parental involvement in pain management. Teams submitted data on a minimum of 10 surgeries per month, spanning from January to July 2019 (baseline), August 2019 to June 2021 (improvement work period), and July 2021 to December 2021 (sustain period). RESULTS: The percentage of patients with unrelieved pain in the 24-hour postoperative period decreased by 35% from 19.5% to 12.6%. Family satisfaction with pain management measured on a 3-point Likert scale with positive responses ≥2 increased from 93% to 96%. Compliance with appropriate pain assessment and numeric documentation of postoperative pain scores according to local NICU policy increased from 53% to 66%. The balancing measure of the percentage of patients with any consecutive sedation scores showed a decrease from 20.8% at baseline to 13.3%. All improvements were maintained during the sustain period. CONCLUSIONS: Standardization of pain management and workflow in the postoperative period across disciplines can improve pain control in infants.

The hemodynamically significant ductus arteriosus in critically ill full-term neonates. Two case reports?

In premature infants, the clinical effects and management of a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (HSDA) are well-described. In full-term neonates the ductus arteriosus (DA) is rarely monitored except in cases of concomitant pulmonary hypertension or duct dependent congenital heart disease. Although systemic-pulmonary shunting commonly occurs in mature infants, coinciding with the normal postnatal fall in pulmonary vascular resistance, cardiac failure in the neonatal period is rarely attributed directly to the DA. In this case series, we report two full-term infants who were initially treated for pulmonary hypertension and myocardial dysfunction but developed clinical, radiographic and two-dimensional echocardiographic evidence of cardiac failure secondary to a large unrestrictive patent DA (PDA). One patient was treated with indomethacin, and, although transductal diameter decreased, there was no clinical benefit. Cardiac failure resolved and myocardial function improved in both cases after PDA ligation. We suggest that PDA be monitored closely in neonates recovering from PPHN who have ongoing oxygenation difficulties or myocardial failure. PDA ligation should be considered an option for full term neonates with cardiac failure secondary to a HSDA when other therapeutic options fail.