A management strategy that reduces NICU admissions and decreases charges from the front line of the neonatal abstinence syndrome epidemic.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test a specialized needs-based management model for a high volume of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) while controlling costs and reducing neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) bed usage. STUDY DESIGN: Data were analyzed from inborn neonates >35 weeks' gestational age with the diagnosis of NAS (ICD9-CM 779.5), requiring pharmacologic treatment and discharged from 2010 through 2015. Significance was determined using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney as well as χ2 for trend. RESULTS: NAS requiring medication treatment increased from 34.1 per 1000 live births in 2010 to 94.3 per 1000 live births in 2015 (P<0.0001 for trend). Hospital charges were significantly different in the three described locations (P<0.0001). Median per patient hospital charges for medically treated NAS were $90 601 (interquartile range (IQR) $64 489 to $128 135) for NAS patients managed in the NICU, $68 750 (IQR $44 952 to $92 548) for those managed in an in-hospital dedicated unit and $17 688 (IQR $9933 to $20 033) for those cared for in an outpatient neonatal withdrawal center. NICU admission was avoided in 78% of the population once both alternative locations were fully implemented. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of infants, a 219% increase in the number of infants treated for NAS overwhelmed the capacity of our traditional resources. There was a need to develop new treatment approaches dealing with the NAS crisis and a growing population of prenatally exposed babies. We found that the described model of care significantly reduced charges and stabilized admissions to our NICU despite the marked increase in cases. Without this system, our NICU would be in a critical state of gridlock and diversion; instead, we have efficient management of a large NAS population.

Short term cost of care for the surviving periviable neonate.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the hospital cost and distribution of financial charges for the initial hospitalization of the surviving periviable neonate. STUDY DESIGN: In this retrospective case series, we analyzed medical records and financial data for neonates 23-25 weeks' gestational age in a single tertiary care NICU over 42 months. A detailed breakdown of hospital cost components and charges was determined for all survivors during their initial hospitalization. Statistical significance was determined using the Bonferroni-Sidak method. RESULTS: Overall survival was 78% in infants born at 23-25 weeks' gestational age. Survival increased and length of stay and hospital costs decreased with increased gestational age (p < 0.05 for all). Hospital charges were distributed as: NICU 56%, respiratory 11%, pharmacy 6%, laboratory 6%, radiology 6%, surgery 1%, neonatology 13% and miscellaneous 1%. CONCLUSION: Our study describes the hospital cost and distribution of charges for the periviable neonate during the initial hospitalization. These economic data may guide clinicians in quality improvement and cost management.