Improving Compliance With Revised Newborn Hepatitis B Vaccination Policy.

BACKGROUND: In September 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued guidance recommending hepatitis B vaccine be administered to well newborns with birth weight ≥2000 g within 24 hours after birth. At that time, ∼85% of well newborns were vaccinated before discharge at our center; however, only 35% were vaccinated within 24 hours after birth. Our aim was to vaccinate 70% of eligible newborns within 24 hours after birth by June 2018 while maintaining the overall rate of vaccination. METHODS: A multidisciplinary improvement team analyzed existing vaccine administration processes in the well-newborn nursery. From October 2017 to January 2018, changes were made to activation of vaccine orders and to obtaining and documenting the consent processes. Vaccine administration was bundled with routine care given ≤24 hours after birth, and parent scripting was changed from offering vaccine as an option to stating it as a recommendation. From November 2016 to June 2019, we determined the overall rate and timing of vaccination using statistical process control methods. RESULTS: Among 10 887 eligible infants, the proportion administered hepatitis B vaccine ≤24 hours after birth increased from 35.5% to 78.8% after process changes with special-cause variation on process control charts. Proportion of infants receiving vaccine any time before discharge also increased from 86.5% to 92.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Specific process changes allowed our birth center to comply with the recommended timing for hepatitis B vaccination of ≤24 hours after birth among eligible newborns.

Nurse-Driven Initiative to Increase Exclusive Human Milk Feeding by Using Pasteurized Donor Human Milk to Treat Hypoglycemic Term Neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To increase exclusive breastfeeding by offering pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) to newborns with hypoglycemia. DESIGN: Quality improvement project. SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: A Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative-designated urban academic medical center in the northeastern United States serving a diverse population where, by policy, virtually all newborns with hypoglycemia received supplemental infant formula. Approximately 85% of women cared for at this center initiate breastfeeding, but many struggle with exclusive breastfeeding during the hospital stay. PARTICIPANTS: All staff members in the labor and delivery unit and the mother/baby unit, including registered nurses, unit clerks, patient care technicians, and lactation consultants. Term, breastfed newborns identified as being hypoglycemic per our guidelines were eligible to receive PDHM. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: Registered nurses provided education about PDHM to parents of newborns who were hypoglycemic, obtained consent, and initiated the order. We offered PDHM instead of infant formula when mother's own milk was not available in sufficient quantity per our hypoglycemia guidelines. We measured newborns' glucose levels and monitored breastfeeding outcomes, including continued breastfeeding. RESULTS: During the 4-month trial, 83 newborns were eligible for PDHM. Of those, 76% of parents opted for PDHM rather than formula. Most newborns in both groups were still breastfeeding at discharge, and 53% of those who received PDHM were fed human milk exclusively during their hospital stays. CONCLUSION: A nurse-driven protocol offering PDHM to otherwise healthy newborns with hypoglycemia is a viable option for increasing exclusive breast milk feeding during the hospital stay.