Customized Silicone Foam Dressing Under Noninvasive Ventilation and Skincare Bundle to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in Neonates.

In a sixty-eight-bed level-IV NICU, an increased incidence of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) from noninvasive ventilation (NIV) devices was identified. The aim of this quality improvement project was to decrease HAPIs from NIV by 10%. A literature review and the Plan-Do-Study-Act were implemented. The intervention included a customized silicone foam dressing under NIV, an NIV skincare bundle, and multidisciplinary support. Hospital-acquired pressure injury rates were tracked over 3 years postinterventions. The incidence of HAPIs declined by 20% from 0.2 per 1,000 patient days to 0.05 per 1,000 patient days. Relative risk was 4.6 times greater prior to intervention (p = .04). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) failure was not noted and measured by the percentage of patients on ventilators pre- and postintervention. Customized silicone foam dressings under NIV, NIV skincare bundle, and multidisciplinary team support may decrease HAPIs in neonates without CPAP failure.

Antibiotic Stewardship in Chorioamnionitis Exposed Neonates, A Quality Improvement Project.

BACKGROUND: Rates of neonatal early onset sepsis (EOS) in term infants have recently decreased. The 2018 AAP guidelines for the management of infants at risk for early onset sepsis allows for using a multivariate risk assessment to determine need for empiric antibiotics in infants 35 weeks or greater, including those exposed to chorioamnionitis. METHODS: A quality improvement (QI) project was undertaken to implement use of EOS calculator in chorioamnionitis exposed infants with an aim to safely decrease antibiotic exposure. Multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles occurred to implement the change. Data regarding antibiotics, labs, length of stay and safety metrics were collected. RESULTS: Implementing the EOS calculator's use in chorioamnionitis exposed neonates decreased antibiotic exposure from 100% to 75%, and decreased average duration of antibiotics from 68 to 40 hours. Implementation decreased prolonged courses of antibiotics, lumbar punctures, length of stay and laboratory tests. No cases of early culture confirmed EOS were missed, and none occurred in this well appearing population. CONCLUSIONS: Quality improvement initiatives to implement evidence-based tools can safely and appropriately decrease antibiotic exposure in neonates.

Use of a Smart Pump and Dedicated Medication Line to Reduce Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Damage.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants frequently require peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placement for medication and nutrition. The occurrence of leaking catheters led to practice evaluation of manual intravenous (IV) flush and medication push technique in an upper Midwest NICU. A variation in unit practice was revealed. PURPOSE: To describe an evidence-based practice change that standardized medication administration, eliminating routine manual IV push medication and flush administration and reducing catheter malfunction. Emergency "code" medication administration was not addressed. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed. A unit practice investigation ensued to study medication administration techniques and syringe size utilization, understand syringe pressure generated by various sizes of syringes, select optimal IV tubing supplies, review the smart pump library, electronic order sets/documentation, and address staff knowledge and skills. Practice change eliminating IV push and recommendations incorporating best evidence occurred. RESULTS: Moving from a traditional method of manual pushing/flushing medication to use of medication delivery via smart pump can decrease or eliminate PICC damage and potential harm to neonatal patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Examination of IV push technique may identify opportunities for safer medication administration. Use of an infusion pump and a dedicated medication line can be a feasible option to deliver most IV medication doses in the NICU. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Safe medication administration practices for the neonatal population and barriers to that practice.Video Abstract available athttps://journals.lww.com/advancesinneonatalcare/Pages/videogallery.aspx?autoPlay=false&videoId=41.

Nursing Assessment of Intra-abdominal Hypertension and Abdominal Compartment Syndrome in the Neonate.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal compartment syndrome in the surgical neonate is a low-frequency, high-risk occurrence that if overlooked is often accompanied with long-term sequelae and sometimes death. The importance of early detection of signs and symptoms through expert nursing assessment cannot be overstated. PURPOSE: To review the components of nursing assessment as it applies to detection of abdominal compartment syndrome in the surgical neonate and its relationship to the pathophysiology. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY: Detailed search of the nursing and medical literature. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The purpose of this article is to describe the onset of abdominal compartment syndrome in the neonate. Early detection of this low-frequency, high-risk occurrence hinges on expert nursing assessment. Complications of abdominal compartment syndrome in the neonate involve bowel perforation, short bowel syndrome, and sometimes death. Components of this expert nursing assessment and its relationship to the pathophysiology of compartment syndrome are presented.

Application of a pectin barrier for medical adhesive skin injury (epidermal stripping) in a premature infant.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants require, as part of their care, devices such as monitors and temperature probes to be attached to their skin. However, because of immaturity of the skin, they are especially vulnerable to medical adhesive-related skin injury. CASE: This case discusses the application of a hydrocolloid (pectin) barrier between the adhesive surface of a silver reflective patch covering thermistor probe and the neonate's skin resulting in medical adhesive skin injury (epidermal stripping). CONCLUSIONS: The use of this pectin barrier proved to be a suitable surface to secure the temperature probe and avoid further medical adhesive-related skin injury.

Development of a pressure ulcer trigger tool for the neonatal population.

A large Midwest level IIIb neonatal intensive care unit located in a 500-bed teaching hospital implemented quarterly skin prevalence surveys to monitor prevalence of altered skin integrity including pressure ulcers, diaper dermatitis (incontinence-associated dermatitis), and skin damage as a result of intravenous therapy, adhesive, or medical devices. Pressure ulcer prevalence varied from 0% to 1% per quarter, and no pressure ulcer risk assessment tool was regularly implemented. Therefore, a working group was formed to identify a risk assessment. The Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice was used to guide the project. A literature review was completed to identify validated instruments, but available tools were judged lengthy for routine clinical use. Therefore, we developed a short trigger tool comprising 3 questions to identify infants at risk for pressure ulcer development.

The NICU Parent Risk Evaluation and Engagement Model and Instrument (PREEMI) for neonates in intensive care units.

Engagement is a fairly new concept in practice and research and is gaining the interest of federal and private regulators, clinicians, and researchers. In this article, we offer a standard definition and outline an engagement model and an instrument for early prediction and identification of low engagement in at-risk parents of late preterm infants. The Parent Risk Evaluation and Engagement Model and Instrument (PREEMI), its theoretical underpinnings, instrument design, and practical application and future research are discussed.