Psychometric assessment of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System and the MOTHER NAS Scale.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study examined the psychometric characteristics of the Neonatal Abstinence Scoring System (NASS; "Finnegan Scale") and the MOTHER NAS Scale (MNS). METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from 131 neonates from the Maternal Opioid Treatment: Human Experimental Research (MOTHER) study, a randomized trial in opioid-dependent pregnant women administered buprenorphine or methadone. RESULTS: Both the NASS and MNS demonstrated poor psychometric properties, with internal consistency (Cronbach's αs) failing to exceed .62 at first administration, peak NAS score, and NAS treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the need for development of a NAS measure based on sound psychometric principles. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study found that two frequently used measures of neonatal abstinence syndrome suffer inadequacies in regard to their basic measurement characteristics. (Am J Addict 2016;25:370-373).

A Longitudinal Study of a Multifaceted Intervention to Reduce Newborn Falls While Preserving Rooming-In on a Mother-Baby Unit.

BACKGROUND: Newborn falls occur when newborns held by caregivers slip from hands or arms and land on another surface. Though injury is rare, The Joint Commission has highlighted newborn falls as a patient safety priority. One hospital sought to reduce newborn falls to fewer than 10 per 10,000 births, to achieve 365 days without a fall, and to reduce injuries from falls to zero, while preserving mother-baby rooming-in. METHODS: An interprofessional quality improvement team developed and implemented prevention measures after three falls occurred in a two-month period. The team performed root cause analysis (RCA) of events and 10 in-depth chart reviews, and developed and implemented parent education materials, a nursing risk assessment tool and job aid, and a standardized reporting system. Outcomes were measured using statistical process control methods for rare events. RESULTS: In early 2017 the hospital's newborn fall rate increased to 71.8 falls per 10,000 births, with 3 falls occurring in a two-month period. RCA and chart review found sustained prenatal maternal opioid intake in 4 of 10 cases. Mechanism of fall differed by mode of delivery, with more drops by a sleeping caregiver following vaginal deliveries and falls due to maternal trips after cesarean deliveries. After interventions, the fall rate decreased to 15.5 per 10,000 births. Days between falls increased from a low of 9 days to a high of 467 days. No newborn injuries have occurred since early 2017. CONCLUSION: A series of interventions, including parent education, nursing practices, and attention to physical layout, was associated with reduced newborn falls and elimination of fall-related injuries while preserving rooming-in on a mother-baby unit with many opioid-exposed newborns.

Combination feeding of breast milk and formula: evidence for shorter breast-feeding duration from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine combination breast milk and formula-feeding (CBFF), defined as daily breast-feeding and formula-feeding begun in the first week of life and to examine associations between CBFF and overall breast-feeding duration. STUDY DESIGN: We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2006, to determine the prevalence of CBFF in both univariable and multivariable analyses. We examined breast-feeding duration using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses. RESULTS: Among 6788 children ages 0-71 months, 8% were CBFF and 55% were exclusively breast-fed during the first week of life. Factors independently associated with CBFF were Hispanic ethnicity (adjusted OR, 3.81) and black race (adjusted OR, 2.59). CBFF was associated with decreased overall breast-feeding duration in the full cohort (P < .001) but not in the Hispanic or black subgroups. CBFF and formula-feeding, when compared with 4 months of exclusive breast-feeding, were associated with an increased risk for overweight/obesity between ages 2 and 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: In a nationally representative sample, CBFF is associated with shorter overall breast-feeding duration in white but not Hispanic or black mother-baby dyads. A significant number of US infants, though breast-fed, do not receive the health benefits of exclusive breast-feeding.

Reducing Outpatient Infant Blood Draws with Transcutaneous Measurement of Bilirubin.

INTRODUCTION: Newborn jaundice is a common outpatient problem. Transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements correlate well with total serum bilirubin (SB) measurements below 15 mg/dl and are efficient and noninvasive. Some concern exists that TcB measurement may subsequently lead to an increase in the number of SB measurements performed in the outpatient setting. We aimed to implement the use of a TcB device in an outpatient clinic. By doing so, we sought to increase the number of newborns screened solely by TcB as opposed to SB, by 30%, within 12 months. METHODS: We conducted plan-do-study-act cycles with targeted interventions to promote the use of TcB in an outpatient clinic for eligible newborns older than 35 weeks gestational age, aged 1-20 days, and without a history of transfusion, phototherapy, extensive bruising, or risk of hemolysis. We used statistical process control methods to measure proportions of newborns evaluated with TcB (run chart) and patients-between SB measurements (G-chart) over time in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: We collected preintervention data for 18-months and intervention data for 12 months. For newborns attending the outpatient clinic, the proportion of TcB measurements increased after implementation of the use of TcB measurement. There was an increase in patients-between SB measurements. At project inception, SB was drawn for every 8 eligible patients. By the end of the project, there were 98 eligible newborns between instances of SB testing. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a quality-improvement initiative to measure TcB in the outpatient clinic was feasible and reduced the number of SB tests.

Enhancing Empathy in Medical Students: Family-Faculty Members Facilitate Patient-Centered Reflection.

Parents of children with medical complexity can serve as family-faculty in undergraduate medical education. Medical students can learn about family-centered care through structured interviews, reflective writing, and classroom discussions with family-faculty.

Ethical and Public Health Implications of Targeted Screening for Congenital Cytomegalovirus.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection and is associated with sensorineural hearing loss, developmental delays, and visual impairment. The clinical presentation of cCMV is variable, and the majority (80%-90%) of newborns will never manifest any clinical symptoms. Given the clinical heterogeneity of cCMV infection, it is challenging to identify which newborns may benefit from testing. Recently, certain states have implemented a targeted screening program in which newborns who fail the newborn hearing screen are tested for cCMV. Clinicians and legislative bodies have been propelled into debates about the ethical and moral permissibility of a targeted cCMV screening approach. Those who oppose this screening approach describe undue burden on patients, families, and the health care system because the majority of newborns who fail the newborn hearing screen and have cCMV will not go on to have any sequelae related to cCMV, including hearing loss. However, those who support this screening approach cite the importance of early detection and ongoing surveillance for hearing loss and developmental delays in this high-risk group of newborns. This debate will be considered by experts in the field.

Gomco Versus Mogen? No Effect on Circumcision Revision Rates.

OBJECTIVES: Elective newborn circumcision, one of the most common surgical procedures in the world, is often performed with either the Gomco clamp or the Mogen clamp. Our aims were to determine differential circumcision revision and complication rates due to surgical technique and differences in outcomes when residents versus attending physicians performed the procedure. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of newborns who underwent elective circumcision at our children's hospital from January 2013 to June 2017 using Current Procedural Terminology codes for newborn circumcision and repair of an incomplete circumcision. We excluded patients who were initially circumcised by a physician other than a pediatrician and procedures that were performed after 31 days of age. The primary outcome was the rate of circumcision revisions. The secondary outcome was the incidence of minor and major complications. We used independent sample t tests, analysis of variance, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression models in the analysis. RESULTS: We analyzed 979 Gomco and 718 Mogen procedures. Both groups had similar complication (26 of 1697 or 1.53%) and revision rates (8 of 1697 or 0.47%). Attending physicians and residents had similar revision rates overall, but residents using the Gomco clamp had a higher rate of revision (2 of 249 or 0.80%) than attending physicians (2 of 730 or 0.27%; P = .003). Older age at primary procedure was significantly associated with revision (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Elective newborn circumcision is associated with similar complication and revision rates after the use of either Gomco or Mogen clamps. There were no differences in outcomes when the procedure was performed by pediatric residents or attending pediatricians.

Quality-Improvement Effort to Reduce Hypothermia Among High-Risk Infants on a Mother-Infant Unit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Neonatal hypothermia is common in low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g) and late-preterm infants (LPIs) (34 0/7-36 6/7 weeks' gestation). It can be a contributory factor for newborn admission to a NICU, resulting in maternal-infant separation and increased resource use. Our objective was to study the efficacy of a quality-improvement bundle of hypothermia preventive measures for LPIs and/or LBW infants in a mother-infant unit. METHODS: We conducted plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles aimed at decreasing environmental hypothermia for LPIs and/or LBW infants in a mother-infant unit with no other indications for NICU-level care. Interventions included using warm towels after delivery, a risk identification card, an occlusive hat, delayed timing of first bath, submersion instead of sponge-bathing, and conducting all assessments under a radiant warmer during the initial hours of life. We implemented these interventions in 3 PDSA cycles and followed hypothermia rates by using statistical process control methods. RESULTS: The baseline mean monthly hypothermia rate among mother-infant unit LPIs and/or LBW infants was 29.8%. Postintervention, the rate fell to 13.3% (-16.5%; P = .002). This decrease occurred in a stepwise fashion in conjunction with the PDSA cycles. In the final, full-intervention period, the rate was 10.0% (-19.8%; P = .0003). A special-cause signal shift was observed in this final period. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted interventions can significantly reduce hypothermia in otherwise healthy LPIs and/or LBW newborns and allow them to safely remain in a mother-infant unit. If applied broadly, such preventive practices could decrease preventable hypothermia in high-risk populations.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Management: A Review of Recent Evidence.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation and management of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), the constellation of opioid withdrawal specific to newborns, have received renewed attention over the past decade during a new epidemic of opioid use, misuse, abuse, and dependence. Infants with NAS often endure long and costly hospital stays. OBJECTIVE: We aim to review recent literature on the management and outcomes of infants with, and at risk for, opioid withdrawal. METHODS: We reviewed articles indexed in PubMed over the past 5 years that examined interventions and/or outcomes related to the management of infants with NAS. Thirty-seven studies were included in our review comprising 8 categories: 1) identification of infants at risk for NAS, 2) prenatal factors, 3) evaluation of signs and symptoms, 4) non-pharmacologic care, including rooming-in and breastfeeding, 5) standardization of traditional protocols, 6) pharmacologic management, 7) alternative treatment approaches, and 8) long-term outcomes. RESULTS: Non-pharmacologic interventions, standardization of traditional protocols, and alternative treatment approaches were all associated with improved outcomes. Lengths of stay were generally lowest in the studies of non-pharmacologic interventions. Patients exposed to buprenorphine in utero tended to have better short-term outcomes than those exposed to methadone. Longer-term outcomes for infants with NAS appear to be worse than those of control groups. CONCLUSION: The current epidemic necessitates both continued research, and the application of new evidence-based practices in the assessment and treatment of newborns exposed to opioids in utero. Projects focused on non-pharmacologic interventions appear to hold the most promise.

What Works to Reduce Unnecessary Care for Bronchiolitis? A Qualitative Analysis of a National Collaborative.

OBJECTIVE: Unnecessary care is well established as a quality problem affecting acute viral bronchiolitis, one of the most common pediatric illnesses. Although there is an extensive quality improvement literature on the disease, published work primarily reflects the experience of freestanding children's hospitals. We sought to better understand the specific barriers and drivers for successful quality improvement in community and nonfreestanding children's facilities. METHODS: We undertook a mixed methods study to identify correlates of success in a bronchiolitis quality improvement collaborative of community hospitals and children's hospitals within adult hospitals. We assessed site demographic characteristics, compliance with project interventions, and team engagement for association with end of project performance. We then used performance quartiles on a composite assessment of project measures (use of bronchodilators and steroids) to design a purposive sample of sites approached for qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Team engagement was the only factor quantitatively associated with better performance in the overall cohort. Fifteen sites, from the total cohort of 21, completed qualitative interviews. Qualitative themes around team engagement, including the presence of buy-in for successful sites and the inability to engage colleagues at unsuccessful sites, were important differentiating factors between top and bottom performance quartiles. Regardless of performance quartile, most programs cited intrainstitutional competition for limited resources to do quality improvement work as a specific barrier for pediatrics. The ability to overcome such barriers and specifically garner information technology (IT) resources also differentiated the top and bottom performance quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: Team engagement showed a consistent association with success across our quantitative and qualitative evaluations. Competition for limited resources in this cohort of nonfreestanding children's programs, particularly those in hospital IT, was a key qualitative theme.

Rooming-In to Treat Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Improved Family-Centered Care at Lower Cost.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The incidence and associated costs of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) have recently risen sharply; newborns with NAS occupy 4% of NICU beds. We implemented a coordinated program for NAS including standardized protocols for scoring, medications and weaning, and a calm rooming-in environment, to improve family-centered care and to decrease both length of stay (LOS) and hospital costs. METHODS: In early 2013, a multidisciplinary quality improvement team began consecutive plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. We trained nurses in modified Finnegan scoring, ensured scoring only after on-demand feeds during skin-to-skin care, and standardized physician score interpretation. We provided prenatal family education, increased family involvement in symptom monitoring and nonpharmacologic treatment, and treated otherwise healthy infants on the inpatient pediatric unit instead of in the NICU. We measured outcomes using statistical process control methods. RESULTS: At baseline, 46% of inborn infants at-risk for NAS were treated with morphine; by 2015, this decreased to 27%. Adjunctive use of phenobarbital decreased from 13% to 2% in the same period. Average LOS for morphine-treated newborns decreased from 16.9 to 12.3 days, average hospital costs per treated infant decreased from $19 737 to $8755, and costs per at-risk infant dropped from $11 000 to $5300. Cumulative morphine dose decreased from 13.7 to 6.6 mg per treated newborn. There were no adverse events, and 30-day readmission rates remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: A coordinated, standardized NAS program safely reduced pharmacologic therapy, LOS, and hospital costs. Rooming-in with family and decreased use of NICU beds were central to achieved outcomes.

The New Hampshire Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding Collaborative: A Statewide QI Initiative.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite national recognition for their breastfeeding-friendly practices, many New Hampshire hospitals are still not achieving the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. To increase achievement of the Ten Steps in New Hampshire's birthing hospitals, facilitate Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) designation for interested hospitals, and improve rates of in-hospital any and exclusive breastfeeding. METHODS: After a 2010 needs assessment, we conducted 2 statewide workshops targeting 6 of the Ten Steps found to be most deficient among New Hampshire birthing hospitals. Eighteen of 20 hospitals attended at least 1 workshop, and 6 participated in an intensive collaborative. In 2013, we analyzed interval Ten Step achievement and in-hospital breastfeeding trends. RESULTS: Staff education showed the greatest improvement, increasing step 2 achievement from 1 to 6 hospitals (P=.05). Although the number of hospitals implementing step 6 (breast milk only) and step 9 (no artificial nipples) increased, differences were not statistically significant. Intensive collaborative hospitals achieved an average of 1.5 new steps, whereas non-Baby Friendly hospitals lost 0.7 steps (P=.05). In-hospital breastfeeding rates increased in intensive collaborative hospitals and were significantly higher than those in non-Baby Friendly hospitals by the end of the study (any breastfeeding, 89% vs 73%, P=.03; exclusive breastfeeding, 84% vs 61%, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: A statewide improvement collaborative facilitated increases in Ten Step achievement and in-hospital breastfeeding for hospitals participating in an intensive collaborative. Active work in Ten Step implementation, including staff education, appears to be more effective in increasing in-hospital breastfeeding than does BFHI designation alone.

Physician breastfeeding education leads to practice changes and improved clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Lack of physician knowledge about breastfeeding is associated with decreased initiation and continuation of breastfeeding by patients. We evaluated the effects of a breastfeeding education program on physicians' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs, measured changes in clinical practice, and examined breastfeeding rates of patients of participating physicians. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Six breastfeeding sessions addressed breastfeeding problem-solving and counseling and specific clinical issues including mastitis, perceived insufficient milk, poor infant weight gain, and return to work. We measured physicians' breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs before and after curriculum implementation and also measured changes in practice. We analyzed breastfeeding rates of patients in the practice before, during, and after the intervention. RESULTS: We studied 24 residents and 15 faculty members at the intervention site; there were 12 residents and nine faculty in a similar control program. Attendance at education sessions improved breastfeeding knowledge (p<0.01) and attitudes/beliefs (p=0.03). Participants identified 15 unique practice changes with a strong commitment to make these changes (4.7 on a 5-point scale) and fulfillment of practice change of 3.6. Participation in education sessions improved patients' rates of any breastfeeding at 4 and 6 months and of full breastfeeding at 4 months. CONCLUSIONS: A breastfeeding education program at a semirural residency program improved physicians' breastfeeding knowledge. Implementation of practice changes was fair. Two years into the intervention, breastfeeding rates improved for patients of the physicians with high levels of participation in the program.