Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to Home Discharge Communication: A Quality Improvement Project.

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates require complex services after discharge. The NICU discharge process at Children's Hospital at Montefiore-Weiler, Bronx, NY (CHAM-Weiler) lacked a system for routine primary care provider (PCP) notification. Here, we describe a quality improvement project to improve communication with PCPs to ensure communication of critical information and plans. Methods: We assembled a multidisciplinary team and collected baseline data on discharge communication frequency and quality. We used quality improvement tools to implement a higher-quality system. The outcome measure was the successful delivery of a standardized notification and discharge summary to a PCP. We collected qualitative data through multidisciplinary meetings and direct feedback. The balancing measures comprised additional time spent during the discharge process and relaying erroneous information. We used a run chart to track progress and drive change. Results: Baseline data indicated that 67% of PCPs did not receive notifications before discharge, and when PCPs did receive notifications, the discharge plans were unclear. PCP feedback led to proactive electronic communication and a standardized notification. The key driver diagram allowed the team to design interventions that led to sustainable change. After multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, delivery of electronic PCP notifications occurred more than 90% of the time. Surveys of pediatricians who received notifications indicated that the notifications were highly valued and aided in the transition of care for these at-risk patients. Conclusion: A multidisciplinary team, including community pediatricians, was key to improving the rate of PCP notification of NICU discharge to more than 90% and transmitting higher-quality information.

Virtual Care Across the Neonatal Intensive Care Continuum.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the need for establishing effective parent and family engagement throughout all aspects of medicine. Though there has been some discussion in the literature regarding the transition from typical outpatient visits to telehealth visits, there has been less written about the inpatient approach to family inclusion. Here, we seek to describe our institution's experience with implementing virtual medicine across the full continuum of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience, including inpatient rounding, child life family visits, and outpatient high-risk developmental follow-up after discharge.

Part 5: Essentials of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship: evaluation of competence and proficiency using Milestones.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Pediatric Subspecialty Milestone Project competencies are used for Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (NPM) fellows. Milestones are longitudinal markers that range from novice to expert (levels 1-5). There is no standard approach to the required biannual evaluation of fellows by fellowship programs, resulting in significant variability among programs regarding procedural experience and exposure to pathology during clinical training. In this paper, we discuss the opportunities that Milestones provide, potential strategies to address challenges, and future directions.

Pericardiocentesis Simulation Model: Low Cost, Easy to Assemble, Effective Task Trainer.

Pericardial effusion is a potentially lethal condition. If it is discovered early, it can be treated by pericardiocentesis under controlled condition with imaging by experienced care providers. If it is diagnosed at a later stage with clinical compromise, then an emergent procedure might be necessary. Since it is encountered infrequently, many providers may have little or no experience in managing the condition and performing a life-saving pericardiocentesis. This is a technical report that describes the creation of a neonatal model for pericardiocentesis. This is a high-fidelity, low-cost model that is simple to create. Materials that are inexpensive and easy to obtain are utilized to make the model. Neonatal care providers, including residents, fellows, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and attendings, can practice with this model. In some medical centers, an echocardiogram or bedside ultrasound is available to guide needle insertion; however, practicing the procedure on a model provides valuable experience. This model is designed to teach the performance of unguided pericardiocentesis without the use of simultaneous imaging. Included with this technical report are a supply list, a checklist, and a suggested scenario that can be used in association with this model. In this article, we have discussed our own experience and described lessons learned about training neonatal care providers in pericardiocentesis.

Dexmedetomidine versus intermittent morphine for sedation of neonates with encephalopathy undergoing therapeutic hypothermia.

OBJECTIVE: In March 2019, the sedative in the therapeutic hypothermia protocol at Bellevue Hospital Center and NYU Langone Health changed from morphine to dexmedetomidine. This study evaluated the impact of this change on efficacy and safety parameters. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study including neonates with HIE undergoing therapeutic hypothermia (N = 70) at two regional perinatal medical centers. RESULTS: Baseline demographics, pain scores, hemodynamics, and time to enteral feeds were similar between dexmedetomidine (N = 34) and morphine (N = 36) patients. Dexmedetomidine patients received more breakthrough morphine (0.13 ± 0.13 vs 0.04 ± 0.09 mg/kg, p = 0.001), but less cumulative morphine (0.13 ± 0.13 vs 1.79 ± 0.23 mg/kg, p < 0.0001). Morphine patients on invasive ventilation required increased support (0 vs 31.58%, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine is effective and safe for sedation and analgesia during therapeutic hypothermia. It reduced total opioid usage, with no increased incidence of adverse events.

Is Communication Improved With the Implementation of an Obstetrical Version of the World Health Organization Safe Surgery Checklist?

OBJECTIVE: Communication failures are consistently seen as a root cause of preventable adverse outcomes in obstetrics. We assessed whether use of an Obstetric Safe Surgery Checklist for cesarean deliveries (CDs), based on the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist, can improve communication; reduce team member confusion about urgency of the case; and decrease documentation discrepancies among nursing, obstetric, anesthesia, and pediatric staff. METHODS: Retrospective review of 600 CDs on our 2 labor and delivery suites before and after the introduction of 2 consecutive versions of our obstetric safe surgery checklist (100 cases in each cohort) was undertaken. The first version was released in 2010, and after modifications based on initial findings, our current version was released in 2014. One hundred consecutive CDs were identified from each of the 3 periods at each hospital, and charts for those patients and newborns were abstracted. Notes by obstetricians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and pediatricians were reviewed. We compared the rates of agreement in the documentation of the indication for the CD between the different members of the team. Chi-square analyses were performed. RESULTS: Complete agreement among the 4 specialties in the documented indication for CD before introduction of our initial safe surgery checklist was noted in 59% (n = 118) of cases. After initial checklist introduction, agreement decreased to 43% (n = 86; P = 0.002). We then modified our checklist to include indication for CD and level of urgency and changed our policy to include pediatric staff participation in the timeout. Agreement in a subsequent chart review increased to 80% (n = 160), significantly better than in our initial analysis (P < 0.001) and our interim review (P < 0.001). The greatest improvement in agreement was observed between obstetricians and pediatricians. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a safe surgery checklist can improve communication at CDs, but care should be taken when implementing checklists because they can have unanticipated consequences. Ongoing review and modification are critical to ensure safer medical care.

Exchange Transfusion Simulation Models: A Technical Report.

This technical report describes the creation of two exchange transfusion models in the newborn. These are low cost, easy to assemble, authentic, and realistic task trainers that provide the opportunity for neonatal providers to practice this rare, life-saving procedure. A critical action checklist is included to guide the simulated procedure. Also included is a suggested clinical scenario with optional complications and variations.

Meningomyelocele Simulation Model: Pre-surgical Management-Technical Report.

This technical report describes the creation of a myelomeningocele model of a newborn baby. This is a simple, low-cost, and easy-to-assemble model that allows the medical team to practice the delivery room management of a newborn with myelomeningocele. The report includes scenarios and a suggested checklist with which the model can be employed.

Non-central peripherally inserted central catheters in neonatal intensive care: complication rates and longevity of catheters relative to tip position.

BACKGROUND: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) represent a mainstay of intravascular access in the neonatal intensive care setting when long-term vascular access is needed. Ideally, PICCs should be inserted and maintained in a central position with the tip ending in the superior or inferior vena cava. This is not always achievable, and sometimes the tip remains in a peripheral location. Higher complication rates have been reported with non-central PICCs; however these findings have not been confirmed in a solely neonatal series and PICCs with tips in peripheral veins have not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To compare complication rates and length of catheter duration related to PICC position in neonates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all PICCs inserted in term and preterm infants in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between May 2007 and December 2009. A single pediatric radiologist reinterpreted the catheter tip site on initial anteroposterior (AP) chest radiographs and categorized sites as central (superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, brachiocephalic vein), intermediate (subclavian, axillary, common or external iliac veins), or peripheral (veins peripheral to axillary or external iliac veins). We analyzed complication rates and length of catheter duration among the three categories. RESULTS: We collected data on a total of 176 PICCs. Infants with PICCs in a central location had a significantly lower complication rate (18/97, 19%) than those with the PICC tip in an intermediate (24/64, 38%) or peripheral (9/15, 60%) locations (P=0.0003). Length of catheter duration was noted to be longest with central, intermediate with intermediate, and shortest with peripheral PICC tip locations (17.7±14.8 days for central vs. 11.4±10.7 days for intermediate vs. 5.4±2.5 days for peripheral, P=0.0003). CONCLUSION: A central location is ideal for the tip of a PICC. When this is not achievable, an intermediate location is preferable to a more peripheral position.

Evaluating Serial Strategies for Preventing Wrong-Patient Orders in the NICU.

BACKGROUND: NICU patients have characteristics believed to increase their risk for wrong-patient errors; however, little is known about the frequency of wrong-patient errors in the NICU or about effective interventions for preventing these errors. We conducted a quality improvement study to evaluate the frequency of wrong-patient orders in the NICU and to assess the effectiveness of an ID reentry intervention and a distinct naming convention (eg, "Wendysgirl") for reducing these errors, using non-NICU pediatric units as a comparator. METHODS: Using a validated measure, we examined the rate of wrong-patient orders in NICU and non-NICU pediatric units during 3 periods: baseline (before implementing interventions), ID reentry intervention (reentry of patient identifiers before placing orders), and combined intervention (addition of a distinct naming convention for newborns). RESULTS: We reviewed >850 000 NICU orders and >3.5 million non-NICU pediatric orders during the 7-year study period. At baseline, wrong-patient orders were more frequent in NICU than in non-NICU pediatric units (117.2 vs 74.9 per 100 000 orders, respectively; odds ratio 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-1.82). The ID reentry intervention reduced the frequency of errors in the NICU to 60.2 per 100 000 (48.7% reduction; P < .001). The combined ID reentry and distinct naming interventions yielded an additional decrease to 45.6 per 100 000 (61.1% reduction from baseline; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of wrong-patient orders in the NICU was significantly higher than in non-NICU pediatric units. Implementation of a combined ID reentry intervention and distinct naming convention greatly reduced this risk.

Universal Cervical Length Screening and Antenatal Corticosteroid Timing.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between universal transvaginal screening for short cervical length in the second trimester and the timing of antenatal corticosteroids. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with nonanomalous singleton gestations and spontaneous preterm birth between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation after the initiation of a universal transvaginal cervical length screening program between October 2012 and August 2015. Our primary outcome was antenatal corticosteroid administration to a delivery interval of fewer than 7 days. Secondary outcomes were delivery 24 hours to 7 days after the initial steroid injection, steroid administration to delivery interval, neonatal survival, neonatal intensive care unit length of stay, and respiratory distress syndrome. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the association between antenatal corticosteroid timing and the diagnosis of a short cervix adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 266 eligible patients, 69 with a short cervical length and 197 without a short cervical length were identified. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups. During the study period, 64 of 69 (92.8%) of patients with a short cervix and 176 of 197 (89.3%) without a short cervix received at least one steroid injection before delivery (P=.411). Steroids were given within 7 days of delivery in 33 of 69 (47.8) patients with a short cervix compared with 126 of 197 (64%) patients in the no short cervix group (P=.015; adjusted odds ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.29-0.9). Median interval between steroid administration and delivery was 8 days in patients diagnosed with a short cervix compared with 3 days for those without a short cervical length (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Patients identified as having a short cervical length by universal transvaginal ultrasound screening were at greater risk of delivering more than 7 days after the initiation of corticosteroids for fetal lung maturation compared with women without a short cervical length.

Gastroschisis Simulation Model: Pre-surgical Management Technical Report.

This technical report describes the creation of a gastroschisis model for a newborn. This is a simple, low-cost task trainer that provides the opportunity for Neonatology providers, including fellows, residents, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses, to practice the management of a baby with gastroschisis after birth and prior to surgery. Included is a suggested checklist with which the model can be employed. The details can be modified to suit different learning objectives.

Use of Temporary Names for Newborns and Associated Risks.

BACKGROUND: Because there can be no delay in providing identification wristbands to newborns, some hospitals assign newborns temporary first names such as Babyboy or Babygirl. These nondistinct naming conventions result in a large number of patients with similar identifiers in NICUs. To determine the level of risk associated with nondistinct naming conventions, we performed an intervention study to evaluate if assigning distinct first names at birth would result in a reduction in wrong-patient errors. METHODS: We conducted a 2-year before/after implementation study to examine the effect of a distinct naming convention that incorporates the mother's first name into the newborn's first name (eg, Wendysgirl) on the incidence of wrong-patient errors. We used the Retract-and-Reorder (RAR) tool, an established, automated tool for detecting the outcome of wrong-patient electronic orders. The RAR tool identifies orders placed on a patient that are retracted within 10 minutes and then placed by the same clinician on a different patient within the next 10 minutes. RESULTS: The reduction in RAR events post- versus preintervention was 36.3%. After accounting for clusters of orders within order sessions, the odds ratio of an RAR event post- versus preintervention was 0.64 (95% confidence interval: 0.42-0.97). CONCLUSIONS: The study results suggest that nondistinct naming conventions are associated with an increased risk of wrong-patient errors and that this risk can be mitigated by changing to a more distinct naming convention.

Trends in retinopathy of prematurity over a 5-year period in a racially diverse population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Retinopathy of prematurity presents differently in developing versus developed countries, which may be due to environmental as well as racial differences. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective chart review of infants screened for ROP at a single neonatal intensive care unit. Risk factors were reviewed. Main outcome measures were rates of plus disease or treatment-requiring ROP by race. RESULTS: The study included 497 infants screened for ROP in an urban neonatal intensive care unit. Gestational age, birth weight, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were independent risk factors for both plus disease and treatment-requiring ROP with type 3 multivariate analysis. Self-identified white race was also a risk factor for plus disease and treatment-requiring ROP. Race was significantly associated with maternal age, multiple births, and blood transfusions. CONCLUSION: In the study population, white race was an independent risk factor for plus disease and ROP treatment.

Patent ductus arteriosus and indomethacin treatment as independent risk factors for plus disease in retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: To examine whether clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) or indomethacin treatment are associated with plus disease or retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) requiring treatment. METHODS: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Charts were reviewed for gestational age, birth weight, birth head circumference, birth length, maternal characteristics, gender, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neurologic comorbidities, PDA and its treatments, gastrointestinal comorbidities, blood transfusions, and sepsis. Main outcome measures were increased rates of plus disease or ROP requiring treatment. RESULTS: A total of 450 premature infants screened for ROP in a mid-sized, urban neonatal intensive care unit were included. On univariate analysis, gestational age, birth weight, birth head circumference, birth length, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neurologic comorbidities, PDA and its treatments, gastrointestinal comorbidities, and sepsis were significantly correlated to plus disease and ROP requiring treatment. PDA was significantly associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, neurologic comorbidities, sepsis, and blood transfusions (P < .0001). With type 3 multivariate analysis, only gestational age and bronchopulmonary dysplasia were independent risk factors for ROP. CONCLUSION: PDA and indomethacin were associated with plus disease and ROP requiring treatment on univariate analysis but this was not significant after adjusting for other risk factors. PDA was also strongly related to bronchopulmonary dysplasia and blood transfusions, which may explain its effect on ROP.

Statewide NICU central-line-associated bloodstream infection rates decline after bundles and checklists.

OBJECTIVE: In 2008, all 18 regional referral NICUs in New York state adopted central-line insertion and maintenance bundles and agreed to use checklists to monitor maintenance-bundle adherence and report checklist use. We sought to confirm whether adopting standardized bundles and using central-line maintenance checklists reduced central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study that enrolled all neonates with a central line who were hospitalized in any of 18 NICUs. Each NICU reported CLABSI and central-line utilization data and checklist use. We used χ(2) to compare CLABSI rates in the preintervention (January to December 2007) versus the postintervention (March to December 2009) periods and Poisson regression to model adjusted CLABSI rates. RESULTS: Each study period included more than 55 000 central-line days and more than 200 000 patient-days. CLABSI rates decreased 67% statewide (risk ratio: 0.33 [95% confidence interval: 0.27-0.41]; P < .0005); after adjusting for the altered central-line-associated bloodstream infection definition in 2008, by 40% (risk ratio: 0.60 [95% confidence interval: 0.48-0.75]; P < .0005). A total of 13 of 18 NICUs reported using maintenance checklists for 10% to 100% of central-line days. The checklist-use rate was associated with the CLABSI rate (coefficient: -0.57, P = .04). A total of 10 of 18 NICUs were independent CLABSI rate predictors, ranging from 1 site with greatly reduced risk (incidence rate ratio: 0.04, P < .0005) to 1 site with greatly increased risk (incidence rate ratio: 2.87, P < .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Although standardizing central-line care elements led to a significant statewide decline in NICU CLABSIs, site of care remains an independent risk factor. Using maintenance checklists reduced CLABSIs.

Identification of a µ opiate receptor signaling mechanism in human placenta.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies report that genes in the morphine biosynthetic pathway have been found in placental tissue. Prior researchers have shown that kappa opioid receptors are present in human placenta. We determined if a µ opiate receptor was present and which subtype was expressed in human placenta. We also sought to demonstrate a functional µ opiate receptor in human placenta. MATERIAL/METHODS: Polymerase chain reactions as well as DNA sequencing were performed to identify the µ opiate receptor subtypes present in human placenta. The functionality of the receptor was demonstrated by real time amperometric measurements of morphine induced NO release. RESULTS: The µ4 opiate receptor sequence was present as well as the µ1 opioid receptor transcript. The addition of morphine to placental tissue resulted in immediate nitric oxide release and this effect was blocked by naloxone. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, an intact morphine signaling system has been demonstrated in human placenta. Morphine signaling in human placenta probably functions to regulate the immune, vascular, and endocrine functions of this organ via NO.