Measuring practice preference variation for quality improvement in neonatal respiratory care

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to measure and compare practice preference variation in neonatal respiratory care within and between neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) using the Neonatology Survey of Interdisciplinary Groups in Healthcare Tool (NSIGHT).

STUDY DESIGN

Eleven NICUs completed the NSIGHT between 2019 and 2021. Net preference was measured by mean response; agreement was ranked by standard distribution of response values. Heat maps showed comparisons between NICUs and disciplines.

RESULTS

NICUs and individuals agreed most often on use of pressure support with mandatory ventilation and on use of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation for apnea. High preference variation surrounded decisions for invasive ventilation versus continuous positive airway pressure for extremely low birth weight infants. Preference difference was most frequent between neonatologists and nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

Patterns of practice preference variation in neonatal respiratory care are specific to clinical scenario. Measuring preference variation may inform psychology of change and strengthen quality improvement efforts.

Change in neurodevelopmental outcomes for extremely premature infants over time: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Survival rates of extremely premature infants are rising, but changes in neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) rates are unclear. Our objective was to perform a systematic review of intrainstitutional variability of NDI over time.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar.

STUDY SELECTION

Study eligibility: (1) at least two discrete cohorts of infants born <27 weeks' gestation or <1000 g birth weight, (2) one cohort born after 1990 and at least one subsequent cohort of similar gestational age, (3) all cohorts cared for within the same Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(s) (NICU) and (4) neurodevelopmental outcomes at 18-36 months corrected age.

MAIN OUTCOME

Change in NDI rates. Quality, validity and bias were assessed using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation and Quality in Prognosis Studies guidelines.

RESULTS

Of 203 publications, 15 were eligible, including 13 229 infants. At the first time point, average NDI rate across study groups weighted by sample size was 41.0% (95% CI 34.0% to 48.0%). The average change in NDI between time points was -3.3% (95% CI -8·8% to 2.2%). For each added week of gestation at birth, the rate of NDI declined by 9.7% (95% CI 6.2% to 13.3%). Most studies exhibited moderate-severe bias in at least one domain, especially attrition rates.

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing discrete same-centre cohorts over time, there was no significant change in NDI rates in infants born <27 weeks' gestation or <1000 g. Higher survival rates unaccompanied by improvement in neurodevelopment highlight urgency for renewed focus on the causes of NDI and evidence-based strategies to reduce brain injury.

Prediction and Prevention of Preterm Birth: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Intervention Trial

Our objective was to evaluate whether pregnancy is prolonged by the use of a proteomics-based maternal serum screening test followed by treatment interventions. This is a secondary analysis of the PREVENT-PTB randomized trial comparing screening with the PreTRM test versus no screening. The primary trial analysis found no significant between-group difference in the preterm birth rate. Rather than considering a dichotomous outcome (preterm versus term), we treated gestational age at birth as a continuous variable using survival analysis. We also evaluated between-group difference in NICU length of stay and duration of respiratory support. Results indicated that pregnancy was significantly prolonged in subjects screened with the PreTRM test compared to controls (adjusted hazard ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.36-0.78, p < 0.01). Newborns of screened subjects had significantly shorter NICU stays but no significant decrease in duration of respiratory support. In the PreTRM screen-positive group, interventions that were associated with pregnancy prolongation included care management and low-dose aspirin but not 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate. We conclude that screening with the PreTRM test followed by interventions for screen-positive pregnancies may prolong pregnancy and reduce NICU LOS, but these observations need to be confirmed by additional research.

Economic considerations for resuscitative interventions in the immediate newborn period

We present a systematic scoping review of the literature, which documents that only a very small number of interventions related to delivery room stabilization and resuscitation have been studied for their economic impact. Published analyses are mostly of programmatic interventions such as resuscitation training programs, are mostly in low-resource settings, and are of variable methodological quality. Investigators who are conducting clinical studies of delivery room interventions can address these deficiencies in the literature by engaging with health services researchers to assess economic outcomes alongside those studies. We provide a framework of five questions that clinical researchers may use to decide on when such an ancillary study is indicated, and to provide them with the necessary language to discuss the methodological details of potential evaluations with their health services colleagues. Emphasis should be given to interventions that are targeted to high volumes of patients, are expensive, or are likely to lead to changes in costly chronic outcomes.

Using the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Wisely: A National Survey of Clinicians Regarding Practices for Lower-Acuity Care

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to document the practices and preferences of neonatal care stakeholders regarding location and duration of care for newborns with low illness acuity.

STUDY DESIGN

We developed a survey instrument that comprised 14 questions across 2 global scenarios and 7 specific clinical conditions. The latter included apnea of prematurity, gestational age for neonatal intensive care unit admission, jaundice, neonatal opioid withdrawal, thermoregulation, and sepsis evaluation. Respondents reported their current practice and preferences for an alternative approach. We administered the survey to individuals in the membership email distribution lists of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, and the Vermont Oxford Network.

RESULTS

Of 2284 respondents, 53% believed that infants were, in general, admitted to a higher level of care than was required, and only 13% reported that the level of care was too low. Length of stay was perceived to be generally too long by 46% of respondents and too short by 21%. Across 10 specific clinical questions, there was substantial variability in current practice and up to 35% of respondents reported discordance between current and preferred practice. These respondents preferred a lower level of care in 8 of 10 scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary sample of US clinicians reported significant variation in the level and duration of care for infants with low illness acuity. Among individuals reporting discordance between current and preferred practice, a majority believed that current management could be accomplished in a lower level of care location.

Economic considerations at the threshold of viability

Neonatal intensive care for infants born at 22-24 weeks has become more prevalent in the past three decades, but outcomes remain highly variable between centers, in part due to different approaches in management. With this increased frequency of intervention, there has been concern for a concurrent increase in costs of care for survivors. This article reviews the direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect costs of care for periviable infants and their families, as well as the current limitations of published data. In addition, we highlight the cost-effectiveness of neonatal intensive care and various therapies offered to extremely preterm infants, while also considering the ethical dilemmas inherently tied to periviable decision-making. Strategies to improve the gaps in knowledge on the economic impact of the smallest infants are discussed.

A Blueprint for Advocacy in Neonatology

Advocacy is at the heart of pediatrics and neonatal care. Historically and currently, numerous pediatricians have used their expertise to raise the voices of children and families to promote child health and welfare. Despite a lack of formal training in advocacy and health policy, many of the skills required for daily clinical care can, and ought to, be applied to affect systemic change within neonatology. Advocacy can no longer be considered an optional activity, but rather a core competency and professional responsibility. In this review, the authors describe the necessity and foundational principles for advocacy success as well as provide guidance, resources, and opportunities for neonatologists and clinicians providing newborn care.

Study protocol for reducing disparity in receipt of mother's own milk in very low birth weight infants (ReDiMOM): a randomized trial to improve adherence to sustained maternal breast pump use

BACKGROUND

Black very low birth weight (VLBW; < 1500 g birth weight) and very preterm (VP, < 32 weeks gestational age, inclusive of extremely preterm, < 28 weeks gestational age) infants are significantly less likely than other VLBW and VP infants to receive mother's own milk (MOM) through to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The costs associated with adhering to pumping maternal breast milk are borne by mothers and contribute to this disparity. This randomized controlled trial tests the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an intervention to offset maternal costs associated with pumping.

METHODS

This randomized control trial will enroll 284 mothers and their VP infants to test an intervention (NICU acquires MOM) developed to facilitate maternal adherence to breast pump use by offsetting maternal costs that serve as barriers to sustaining MOM feedings and the receipt of MOM at NICU discharge. Compared to current standard of care (mother provides MOM), the intervention bundle includes three components: a) free hospital-grade electric breast pump, b) pickup of MOM, and c) payment for opportunity costs. The primary outcome is infant receipt of MOM at the time of NICU discharge, and secondary outcomes include infant receipt of any MOM during the NICU hospitalization, duration of MOM feedings (days), and cumulative dose of MOM feedings (total mL/kg of MOM) received by the infant during the NICU hospitalization; maternal duration of MOM pumping (days) and volume of MOM pumped (mLs); and total cost of NICU care. Additionally, we will compare the cost of the NICU acquiring MOM versus NICU acquiring donor human milk if MOM is not available and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention (NICU acquires MOM) versus standard of care (mother provides MOM).

DISCUSSION

This trial will determine the effectiveness of an economic intervention that transfers the costs of feeding VLBWand VP infants from mothers to the NICU to address the disparity in the receipt of MOM feedings at NICU discharge by Black infants. The cost-effectiveness analysis will provide data that inform the adoption and scalability of this intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04540575 , registered September 7, 2020.

Clinical and economic evaluation of a proteomic biomarker preterm birth risk predictor: cost-effectiveness modeling of prenatal interventions applied to predicted higher-risk pregnancies within a large and diverse cohort

OBJECTIVES

Preterm birth occurs in more than 10% of U.S. births and is the leading cause of U.S. neonatal deaths, with estimated annual costs exceeding $25 billion USD. Using real-world data, we modeled the potential clinical and economic utility of a prematurity-reduction program comprising screening in a racially and ethnically diverse population with a validated proteomic biomarker risk predictor, followed by case management with or without pharmacological treatment.

METHODS

The ACCORDANT microsimulation model used individual patient data from a prespecified, randomly selected sub-cohort (N = 847) of a multicenter, observational study of U.S. subjects receiving standard obstetric care with masked risk predictor assessment (TREETOP; NCT02787213). All subjects were included in three arms across 500 simulated trials: standard of care (SoC, control); risk predictor/case management comprising increased outreach, education and specialist care (RP-CM, active); and multimodal management (risk predictor/case management with pharmacological treatment) (RP-MM, active). In the active arms, only subjects stratified as higher risk by the predictor were modeled as receiving the intervention, whereas lower-risk subjects received standard care. Higher-risk subjects' gestational ages at birth were shifted based on published efficacies, and dependent outcomes, calibrated using national datasets, were changed accordingly. Subjects otherwise retained their original TREETOP outcomes. Arms were compared using survival analysis for neonatal and maternal hospital length of stay, bootstrap intervals for neonatal cost, and Fisher's exact test for neonatal morbidity/mortality (significance, p < .05).

RESULTS

The model predicted improvements for all outcomes. RP-CM decreased neonatal and maternal hospital stay by 19% (p = .029) and 8.5% (p = .001), respectively; neonatal costs' point estimate by 16% (p = .098); and moderate-to-severe neonatal morbidity/mortality by 29% (p = .025). RP-MM strengthened observed reductions and significance. Point estimates of benefit did not differ by race/ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Modeled evaluation of a biomarker-based test-and-treat strategy in a diverse population predicts clinically and economically meaningful improvements in neonatal and maternal outcomes.

Quantifying the variation in neonatal transport referral patterns using network analysis

OBJECTIVE

Regionalized care reduces neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study evaluated the association of patient characteristics with quantitative differences in neonatal transport networks.

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data for infants <28 days of age acutely transported within California from 2008 to 2012. We generated graphs representing bidirectional transfers between hospitals, stratified by patient attribute, and compared standard network analysis metrics.

RESULT

We analyzed 34,708 acute transfers, representing 1594 unique transfer routes between 271 hospitals. Density, centralization, efficiency, and modularity differed significantly among networks drawn based on different infant attributes. Compared to term infants and to those transported for medical reasons, network metrics identify greater degrees of regionalization for preterm and surgical patients (more centralized and less dense, respectively [p < 0.001]).

CONCLUSION

Neonatal interhospital transport networks differ by patient attributes as reflected by differences in network metrics, suggesting that regionalization should be considered in the context of a multidimensional system.

Cost-Effectiveness of a Proteomic Test for Preterm Birth Prediction

Background

Preterm birth (PTB) carries increased risk of short- and long-term health problems as well as higher healthcare costs. Current strategies using clinically accepted maternal risk factors (prior PTB, short cervix) can only identify a minority of singleton PTBs.

Objective

We modeled the cost-effectiveness of a risk-screening-and-treat strategy versus usual care for commercially insured pregnant US women without clinically accepted PTB risk factors. The risk-screening-and-treat strategy included use of a novel PTB prognostic blood test (PreTRM^®) in the 19th–20th week of pregnancy, followed by treatment with a combined regimen of multi-component high-intensity-case-management and pharmacologic interventions for the remainder of the pregnancy for women assessed as higher-risk by the test, and usual care in women without higher risk.

Methods

We built a cost-effectiveness model using a combined decision-tree/Markov approach and a US payer perspective. We modeled 1-week cycles of pregnancy from week 19 to birth (preterm or term) and assessed costs throughout the pregnancy, and further to 12-months post-delivery in mothers and 30-months in infants. PTB rates and costs were based on >40,000 mothers and infants from the HealthCore Integrated Research Database^® with birth events in 2016. Estimates of test performance, treatment effectiveness, and other model inputs were derived from published literature.

Results

In the base case, the risk-screening-and-treat strategy dominated usual care with an estimated 870 fewer PTBs (20% reduction) and $54 million less in total cost ($863 net savings per pregnant woman). Reductions were projected for neonatal intensive care admissions (10%), overall length-of-stay (7%), and births <32 weeks (33%). Treatment effectiveness had the strongest influence on cost-effectiveness estimates. The risk-screening-and-treat strategy remained dominant in the majority of probabilistic sensitivity analysis simulations and model scenarios.

Conclusion

Use of a novel prognostic test during pregnancy to identify women at risk of PTB combined with evidence-based treatment is estimated to reduce total costs while preventing PTBs and their consequences.

Unbiasing costs? An appraisal of economic assessment alongside randomized trials in neonatology

Economic evaluations performed alongside randomized controlled trials benefit from the protections against bias inherent in randomization. In this systematic review, we assessed the frequency and quality of economic assessments alongside randomized controlled trials of interventions in neonates published between 1990 and 2016. Over that period, 58 economic assessments were published, corresponding to approximately 2% of RCTs. We noted significant methodological limitations of these studies, including limitation of included costs to the health sector or payer rather than broader categories such as family or community expenditures (81%), short time horizon for cost measurement (less than one year in 60%), lack of reporting of uncertainty (26%), and infrequent analysis of costs and effects in a single metric (combined in 45%). Strategies for improving the quality and frequency of economic evaluations in neonatology are discussed, including selection of appropriate trials, funding, and peer review.

The financial burden on families of infants requiring neonatal intensive care

While the high costs of neonatal intensive care have been a topic of increasing study, the financial impact on families have been less frequently reported or summarized. We conducted a systematic review of the literature using Pubmed/Medline and EMBASE (1990-2020) for studies reporting estimates of out-of-pocket costs or qualitative estimates of financial burden on families during a neonatal intensive care unit stay or after discharge. 44 studies met inclusion criteria, with 25 studies providing cost estimates. Cost estimates primarily focused on direct non-medical out-of-pocket costs or loss of productivity, and there was a paucity of cost estimates for insurance cost-sharing. Available estimates suggest these costs are significant to families, cause significant stress, and may impact care received by patients. More high-quality studies estimating the entirety of out-of-pocket costs are needed, and particular attention should be paid to how these costs directly impact the care of our high-risk population.

A Graded Approach to Intravenous Dextrose for Neonatal Hypoglycemia Decreases Blood Glucose Variability, Time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Cost of Stay

OBJECTIVE

To determine associations between a graded approach to intravenous (IV) dextrose treatment for neonatal hypoglycemia and changes in blood glucose (BG), length of stay (LOS), and cost of care.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of 277 infants born at ≥35 weeks of gestation in an urban academic delivery hospital, comparing the change in BG after IV dextrose initiation, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) LOS, and cost of care in epochs before and after a hospital protocol change. During epoch 1, all infants who needed IV dextrose for hypoglycemia were given a bolus and started on IV dextrose at 60 mL/kg/day. During epoch 2, infants received IV dextrose at 30 or 60 mL/kg/day based on the degree of hypoglycemia. Differences in BG outcomes, LOS, and cost of hospital care between epochs were compared using adjusted median regression.

RESULTS

In epoch 2, the median (IQR) rise in BG after initiating IV dextrose (19 [10, 31] mg/dL) was significantly lower than in epoch 1 (24 [14,37] mg/dL; adjusted β = -6.0 mg/dL, 95% CI -11.2, -0.8). Time to normoglycemia did not differ significantly between epochs. NICU days decreased from a median (IQR) of 4.5 (2.1, 11.0) to 3.0 (1.5, 6.5) (adjusted β = -1.9, 95% CI -3.0, -0.7). Costs associated with NICU hospitalization decreased from a median (IQR) $14 030 ($5847, $30 753) to $8470 ($5650, $19 019) (adjusted β = -$4417, 95% CI -$571, -$8263) after guideline implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

A graded approach to IV dextrose was associated with decreased BG lability and length and cost of NICU stay for infants with neonatal hypoglycemia.

International comparison of guidelines for managing neonates at the early phase of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens global newborn health. We describe the current state of national and local protocols for managing neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers.

METHODS

Care providers from neonatal intensive care units on six continents exchanged and compared protocols on the management of neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers. Data collection was between March 14 and 21, 2020. We focused on central protocol components, including triaging, hygiene precautions, management at delivery, feeding protocols, and visiting policies.

RESULTS

Data from 20 countries were available. Disease burden varied between countries at the time of analysis. In most countries, asymptomatic infants were allowed to stay with the mother and breastfeed with hygiene precautions. We detected discrepancies between national guidance in particular regarding triaging, use of personal protection equipment, viral testing, and visitor policies. Local protocols deviated from national guidance.

CONCLUSIONS

At the start of the pandemic, lack of evidence-based guidance on the management of neonates born to SARS-CoV-2-positive mothers has led to ad hoc creation of national and local guidance. Compliance between collaborators to share and discuss protocols was excellent and may lead to more consensus on management, but future guidance should be built on high-level evidence, rather than expert consensus.

IMPACT

At the rapid onset of the COVID19 pandemic, all countries presented protocols in place for managing infants at risk of COVID19, with a certain degree of variations among regions. A detailed review of ad hoc guidelines is presented, similarities and differences are highlighted. We provide a broad overview of currently applied recommendations highlighting the need for international context-relevant coordination.

Higher or Lower Hemoglobin Transfusion Thresholds for Preterm Infants

BACKGROUND

Limited data suggest that higher hemoglobin thresholds for red-cell transfusions may reduce the risk of cognitive delay among extremely-low-birth-weight infants with anemia.

METHODS

We performed an open, multicenter trial in which infants with a birth weight of 1000 g or less and a gestational age between 22 weeks 0 days and 28 weeks 6 days were randomly assigned within 48 hours after delivery to receive red-cell transfusions at higher or lower hemoglobin thresholds until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge, whichever occurred first. The primary outcome was a composite of death or neurodevelopmental impairment (cognitive delay, cerebral palsy, or hearing or vision loss) at 22 to 26 months of age, corrected for prematurity.

RESULTS

A total of 1824 infants (mean birth weight, 756 g; mean gestational age, 25.9 weeks) underwent randomization. There was a between-group difference of 1.9 g per deciliter (19 g per liter) in the pretransfusion mean hemoglobin levels throughout the treatment period. Primary outcome data were available for 1692 infants (92.8%). Of 845 infants in the higher-threshold group, 423 (50.1%) died or survived with neurodevelopmental impairment, as compared with 422 of 847 infants (49.8%) in the lower-threshold group (relative risk adjusted for birth-weight stratum and center, 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92 to 1.10; P = 0.93). At 2 years, the higher- and lower-threshold groups had similar incidences of death (16.2% and 15.0%, respectively) and neurodevelopmental impairment (39.6% and 40.3%, respectively). At discharge from the hospital, the incidences of survival without severe complications were 28.5% and 30.9%, respectively. Serious adverse events occurred in 22.7% and 21.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In extremely-low-birth-weight infants, a higher hemoglobin threshold for red-cell transfusion did not improve survival without neurodevelopmental impairment at 22 to 26 months of age, corrected for prematurity. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and others; TOP ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01702805.).

Cost-effectiveness and pricing of caffeine

In a formal economic evaluation ancillary to the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity trial, caffeine was shown to reduce costs while simultaneously improving clinical outcomes. Although these results still apply, the current price of caffeine is substantially higher than when it was introduced. Such pharmaceutical price growth contributes appreciably to medical costs and inflation. In this review, the examples of caffeine and surfactant show how prices are determined for the neonatology formulary. Drivers include small market size, government-imposed barriers to competition designed to encourage innovation, high willingness-to-pay, failure of government buyers to exercise their market power, and asymmetries in knowledge about costs and effects between producers and patients. Many of these factors are exercised at the national policy or market levels. However, by conducting rigorous clinical trials and economic evaluations, neonatologists can still ensure that the drugs they prescribe are both efficacious and represent good use of societal resources.

Ten-year trends in infant neuroimaging from US Neonatal Intensive Care Units

OBJECTIVE

To identify patterns of neuroimaging (NI), including cranial ultrasounds (CUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), among a large cohort of United States NICU infants.

STUDY DESIGN

The retrospective cohort study of the Pediatrix Clinical Data Warehouse for infants discharged between 2008 and 2017.

RESULTS

From the 863,863 infants during the study period, 204,197 (24%) had at least one NI study. CUS was the most common study (n = 189,190, 22%) followed by MRI (n = 37,107, 4%). From 2008 to 2017, the percentage of infants who underwent any NI decreased from 28 to 21% (p < 0.001) driven primarily by a reduction in CUS. MRI use for infants ≤33 weeks increased through 2015 and then decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall reductions in NI have been driven by decreased use of CUS in infants born at 31-33 weeks' gestational age. MRI use among preterm infants has been more dynamic with an initial rise and recent decrease.

Estimates of healthcare spending for preterm and low-birthweight infants in a commercially insured population: 2008-2016

The growth in healthcare spending is an important topic in the United States, and preterm and low-birthweight infants have some of the highest healthcare expenditures of any patient population. We performed a retrospective cohort study of spending in this population using a large, national claims database of commercially insured individuals. A total of 763,566 infants with insurance coverage through Aetna, Inc. for the first 6 months of post-natal life were included, and received approximately $8.4 billion (2016 USD) in healthcare services. Infants with billing codes indicating preterm status (<37 weeks, n = 50,511) incurred medical expenditures of $76,153 on average, while low-birthweight status (<2500 g) was associated with average spending of $114,437. Infants born at 24 weeks gestation (n = 418) had the highest per infant average expenditures of $603,778. Understanding the drivers of variation in costs within gestational age and birthweight bands is an important target for future studies.

A Collaborative Multicenter QI Initiative to Improve Antibiotic Stewardship in Newborns

OBJECTIVES

To determine if NICU teams participating in a multicenter quality improvement (QI) collaborative achieve increased compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) core elements for antibiotic stewardship and demonstrate reductions in antibiotic use (AU) among newborns.

METHODS

From January 2016 to December 2017, multidisciplinary teams from 146 NICUs participated in Choosing Antibiotics Wisely, an Internet-based national QI collaborative conducted by the Vermont Oxford Network consisting of interactive Web sessions, a series of 4 point-prevalence audits, and expert coaching designed to help teams test and implement the CDC core elements of antibiotic stewardship. The audits assessed unit-level adherence to the CDC core elements and collected patient-level data about AU. The AU rate was defined as the percentage of infants in the NICU receiving 1 or more antibiotics on the day of the audit.

RESULTS

The percentage of NICUs implementing the CDC core elements increased in each of the 7 domains (leadership: 15.4%-68.8%; accountability: 54.5%-95%; drug expertise: 61.5%-85.1%; actions: 21.7%-72.3%; tracking: 14.7%-78%; reporting: 6.3%-17.7%; education: 32.9%-87.2%; P < .005 for all measures). The median AU rate decreased from 16.7% to 12.1% (P for trend < .0013), a 34% relative risk reduction.

CONCLUSIONS

NICU teams participating in this QI collaborative increased adherence to the CDC core elements of antibiotic stewardship and achieved significant reductions in AU.

Cost-effectiveness of Antenatal Corticosteroid Therapy vs No Therapy in Women at Risk of Late Preterm Delivery: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Administration of corticosteroids to women at high risk for delivery in the late preterm period (34-36 weeks' gestation) improves short-term neonatal outcomes. The cost implications of this intervention are not known.

Objective

To compare the cost-effectiveness of treatment with antenatal corticosteroids with no treatment for women at risk for late preterm delivery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This secondary analysis of the Antenatal Late Preterm Steroids trial, a multicenter randomized clinical trial of antenatal corticosteroids vs placebo in women at risk for late preterm delivery conducted from October 30, 2010, to February 27, 2015. took a third-party payer perspective. Maternal costs were based on Medicaid rates and included those of betamethasone, as well as the outpatient visits or inpatient stay required to administer betamethasone. All direct medical costs for newborn care were included. For infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, comprehensive daily costs were stratified by the acuity of respiratory illness. For infants admitted to the regular newborn nursery, nationally representative cost estimates from the literature were used. Effectiveness was measured as the proportion of infants without the primary outcome of the study: a composite of treatment in the first 72 hours of continuous positive airway pressure or high-flow nasal cannula for 2 hours or more, supplemental oxygen with a fraction of inspired oxygen of 30% or more for 4 hours or more, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or mechanical ventilation. This secondary analysis was initially started in June 2016 and revision of the analysis began in May 2017.

Exposures

Betamethasone treatment.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

Results

Costs were determined for 1426 mother-infant pairs in the betamethasone group (mean [SD] maternal age, 28.6 [6.3] years; 827 [58.0%] white) and 1395 mother-infant pairs in the placebo group (mean [SD] maternal age, 27.9 [6.2] years; 794 [56.9%] white). Treatment with betamethasone was associated with a total mean (SD) woman-infant-pair cost of $4681 ($5798), which was significantly less than the mean (SD) amount of $5379 ($8422) for women and infants in the placebo group (difference, $698; 95% CI, $186-$1257; P = .02). The Antenatal Late Preterm Steroids trial determined that betamethasone use is effective: respiratory morbidity decreased by 2.9% (95% CI, -0.5% to -5.4%). Thus, the cost-effectiveness ratio was -$23 986 per case of respiratory morbidity averted. Inspection of the bootstrap replications confirmed that treatment was the dominant strategy in 5000 samples (98.8%). Sensitivity analyses showed that these results held under most assumptions.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings suggest that antenatal betamethasone treatment is associated with a statistically significant decrease in health care costs and with improved outcomes; thus, this treatment may be an economically desirable strategy.

Predicting Successful Neonatal Retro-Transfer to a Lower Level of Care

Up to 20% of newborn infants retro-transferred to a lower level of care require readmission to a higher-level facility. In this study, we developed and validated a prediction rule (The Rule for Elective Transfer between Units for Recovering Neonates [RETURN]) to identify clinical characteristics of infants at risk for failing retro-transfer.

Evaluating the efficacy of Seattle-PAP for the respiratory support of premature neonates: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

At birth, the majority of neonates born at <30 weeks of gestation require respiratory support to facilitate transition and ensure adequate gas exchange. Although the optimal approach to the initial respiratory management is uncertain, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses noninvasive respiratory support with nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) for premature neonates with respiratory insufficiency. Despite evidence for its use, nCPAP failure, requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation, is common. Recently, investigators have described a novel method to deliver bubble nCPAP, termed Seattle-PAP. While preclinical and pilot studies are encouraging regarding the potential value of Seattle-PAP, a large trial is needed to compare Seattle-PAP directly with the current standard of care for bubble nCPAP (Fisher & Paykel CPAP or FP-CPAP).

METHODS/DESIGN

We designed a multicenter, non-blinded, randomized controlled trial that will enroll 230 premature infants (22^0/7 to 29^6/7 weeks of gestation). Infants will be randomized to receive Seattle-PAP or FP-CPAP. The primary outcome is respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. Secondary outcomes include measures of short- and long-term respiratory morbidity and cost-effectiveness.

DISCUSSION

This trial will assess whether Seattle-PAP is more efficacious and cost-effective than FP-CPAP in real-world practice among premature neonates.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03085329 . Registered on 21 March 2017.

Factors influencing decision making in neonatology: inhaled nitric oxide in preterm infants

OBJECTIVE

We studied decision making regarding inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) in preterm infants with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH).

STUDY DESIGN

We asked members of the AAP-Society of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and Division-Chiefs to select from three management options- initiate iNO, engage parents in shared decision making or not consider iNO in an extremely preterm with PH followed by rating of factors influencing their decision.

RESULTS

Three hundred and four respondents (9%) completed the survey; 36.5% chose to initiate iNO, 42% to engage parents, and 21.5% did not consider iNO. Provider's prior experience, safety, and patient-centered care were rated higher by those who initiated or offered iNO; lack of effectiveness and cost considerations by participants who did not chose iNO.

CONCLUSIONS

Most neonatologists offer or initiate iNO therapy based on their individual experience. The minority who chose not to consider iNO placed higher value on lack of effectiveness and cost. These results demonstrate a tension between evidence and pathophysiology-based-therapy/personal experience.

Adherence of Newborn-Specific Antibiotic Stewardship Programs to CDC Recommendations

: media-1vid110.1542/5839992664001PEDS-VA_2017-4322Video Abstract BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs (ASPs), while the Choosing Wisely for Newborn Medicine Top 5 list identified antibiotic therapy as an area of overuse. We identify the baseline prevalence and makeup of newborn-specific ASPs and assess the variability of NICU antibiotic use rates (AURs).

METHODS

Data were collected using a cross-sectional audit of Vermont Oxford Network members in February 2016. Unit measures were derived from the 7 domains of the CDC's Core Elements of Hospital ASPs, including leadership commitment, accountability, drug expertise, action, tracking, reporting, and education. Patient-level measures included patient demographics, indications, and reasons for therapy. An AUR, defined as the number of infants who are on antibiotic therapy divided by the census that day, was calculated for each unit.

RESULTS

Overall, 143 centers completed structured self-assessments. No center addressed all 7 core elements. Of the 7, only accountability (55%) and drug expertise (62%) had compliance >50%. Centers audited 4127 infants for current antibiotic exposure. There were 725 infants who received antibiotics, for a hospital median AUR of 17% (interquartile range 10%-26%). Of the 412 patients on >48 hours of antibiotics, only 26% (107 out of 412) had positive culture results.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant gaps exist between CDC recommendations to improve antibiotic use and antibiotic practices during the newborn period. There is wide variation in point prevalence AURs. Three-quarters of infants who received antibiotics for >48 hours did not have infections proven by using cultures.

Burdens Beyond Biology for Sick Newborn Infants and Their Families

To date, outcomes in neonatology have focused mainly on the biological outcomes of the babies under our care. In this article, we argue that we must move beyond this proband and biological bias, towards a "Slow Medicine" that recognizes the distinction between the remarkable technical capabilities of the modern medical world and how those intersect with our society, and its values, more broadly. Practically speaking, this involves consideration of the impacts of neonatal intensive care and its sequelae on families, as well as non-biological outcomes such as finances and stress. Implementing this Slow Medicine does not mean that neonatologists must forego effective therapy or the improved mortality and morbidity it has brought, but rather that we adopt a committed and compassionate view of medicine, in which we engage outside the neonatal intensive care unit to address the nonbiological suffering of our patients and their equally vulnerable families.

Cost-Effectiveness of Supplemental Donor Milk Versus Formula for Very Low Birth Weight Infants

OBJECTIVES

To determine the cost-effectiveness of supplemental donor human milk (DHM) versus preterm formula (PTF) for very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants from a societal perspective to 18 months' corrected age.

METHODS

This prospective cost-effectiveness analysis of 363 VLBW infants was conducted for a randomized control trial. Infants recruited from October 2010 to December 2012 were fed DHM or PTF whenever mother's milk was unavailable. Formal health care costs for initial hospitalization and readmissions were obtained from standardized cost-accounting systems and physician fees. Informal and nonhealth care sector costs (eg, caregiver transportation, labor market earnings) were calculated from parent reports.

RESULTS

Mean infant birth weight was 996 (SD, 272) grams. Incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) differed between groups (all stages 3.9% DHM, 11.0% PTF; P = .01). Costs to 18 months did not differ with a mean (95% confidence interval) of 217 624 (197 697-237 551) and 217 245 (196 494-237 995) 2015 Canadian dollars in the DHM and PTF groups. Postdischarge costs were lower in the DHM (46 440 [40 648-52 233]) than PTF group (55 102 [48 269-61 934]) (P = .04), driven by parent lost wages. DHM cost an additional $5328 per case of averted NEC.

CONCLUSIONS

In a high mother's milk use setting, total costs from a societal perspective to 18 months of providing supplemental DHM versus PTF to VLBW infants did not differ, although postdischarge costs were lower in the DHM group. Although supplemental DHM was not cost-saving, it reduced NEC supporting its use over PTF.

Do trials reduce uncertainty? Assessing impact through cumulative meta-analysis of neonatal RCTs

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of the latest randomized controlled trial (RCT) to each systematic review (SR) in Cochrane Neonatal Reviews.

STUDY DESIGN

We selected meta-analyses reporting the typical point estimate of the risk ratio for the primary outcome of the latest study (n=130), mortality (n=128) and the mean difference for the primary outcome (n=44). We employed cumulative meta-analysis to determine the typical estimate after each trial was added, and then performed multivariable logistic regression to determine factors predictive of study impact.

RESULTS

For the stated primary outcome, 18% of latest RCTs failed to narrow the confidence interval (CI), and 55% failed to decrease the CI by ⩾20%. Only 8% changed the typical estimate directionality, and 11% caused a change to or from significance. Latest RCTs did not change the typical estimate in 18% of cases, and only 41% changed the typical estimate by at least 10%. The ability to narrow the CI by >20% was negatively associated with the number of previously published RCTs (odds ratio 0.707). Similar results were found in analysis of typical estimates for the outcomes of mortality and mean difference.

CONCLUSION

Across a broad range of clinical questions, the latest RCT failed to substantially narrow the CI of the typical estimate, to move the effect estimate or to change its statistical significance in a majority of cases. Investigators and grant peer review committees should consider prioritizing less-studied topics or requiring formal consideration of optimal information size based on extant evidence in power calculations.

Improving Value in Neonatal Intensive Care

Work within the US health care system has sought to improve outcomes, decrease costs, and improve the patient experience. Combining those three elements leads to value-added care. Quality improvement within neonatology has focused primarily on the improvement of clinical outcomes without explicit consideration of cost. Future improvement efforts in neonatology should consider opportunities to decrease or eliminate waste, and improve outcomes. Consideration of how a change affects all stakeholders reveals potential cost-saving opportunities, and developing aims with value in mind facilitates understanding and goal-setting with senior administrative leaders.

Should we believe in transfusion-associated enterocolitis? Applying a GRADE to the literature

Numerous observational studies appear to demonstrate an association between packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). However, the limited numbers of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) do not support a causal relationship between pRBC transfusion and NEC. We sought to determine the quality of the evidence behind transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis (TANEC), and to formulate a GRADE-based recommendation regarding transfusion practices to reduce the risk of TANEC. A systematic search including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and clinical trials registries was performed for studies assessing the association between transfusion and NEC. Teams of two paired reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, assessed risk of bias using the GRADE framework, and collected data from each eligible study. We examined studies for two time points following transfusion: within 48h if this was available, and otherwise at any time after transfusion. In total, 23 observational studies and three RCTs met inclusion criteria. The average rating for the quality of evidence of individual studies was between "very low" and "low." On pooling studies for GRADE review, we observed an inconsistency of results. This led to a final overall quality of "very low" for the evidence for an association between transfusions and necrotizing enterocolitis. The pooled outcome of NEC for observational/case control studies was an odds ratio of 1.13 (95% CI: 0.99-1.29) when TANEC was defined as occurring within 48 hours of transfusion. For NEC occurring at any time post-transfusion, the pooled OR was 1.95 (1.60-2.38). Conversely, the pooled outcome of NEC for the RCT data had an odds ratio of 0.6 (0.3, 1.21) with NEC being less frequent in the liberal transfusion group compared to the restrictive transfusion group. The overall quality of the evidence for TANEC is "very low," suggesting very little confidence in the effect estimate. RCT data tended toward apparent protection against NEC. The available evidence is not sufficient to support a practice recommendation around pRBC transfusions in the context of preventing the development of NEC.

Clinical and Cost Impact Analysis of a Novel Prognostic Test for Early Detection of Preterm Birth

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential impact to the U.S. health care system by adopting a novel test that identifies women at risk for spontaneous preterm birth. Methods A decision-analytic model was developed to assess clinical and cost outcomes over a 1-year period. The use of a prognostic test to predict spontaneous preterm birth in a hypothetical population of women reflective of the U.S. population (predictive arm) was compared with the current baseline rate of spontaneous preterm birth and associated infant morbidity and mortality (baseline care arm). Results In a population of 3,528,593 births, our model predicts a 23.5% reduction in infant mortality (8,300 vs. 6,343 deaths) with use of the novel test. The rate of acute conditions at birth decreased from 11.2 to 8.1%; similarly, the rate of developmental disabilities decreased from 13.2 to 11.5%. The rate of spontaneous preterm birth decreased from 9.8 to 9.1%, a reduction of 23,430 preterm births. Direct medical costs savings was $511.7M (- 2.1%) in the first year of life. Discussion The use of a prognostic test for reducing spontaneous preterm birth is a dominant strategy that could reduce costs and improve outcomes. More research is needed once such a test is available to determine if these results are borne out upon real-world use.

Evidence, Quality, and Waste: Solving the Value Equation in Neonatology

Rising health care costs challenge governments, payers, and providers in delivering health care services. Tremendous pressures result to deliver better quality care while simultaneously reducing costs. This has led to a wholesale re-examination of current practice methods, including explicit consideration of efficiency and waste. Traditionally, reductions in the costs of care have been considered as independent, and sometimes even antithetical, to the practice of high-quality, intensive medicine. However, it is evident that provision of evidence-based, locally relevant care can result in improved outcomes, lower resource utilization, and opportunities to reallocate resources. This is particularly relevant to the practice of neonatology. In the United States, 12% of the annual birth cohort is affected by preterm birth, and 3% is affected by congenital anomalies. Both of these conditions are associated with costly health care during, and often long after, the NICU admission. We will discuss how 3 drivers of clinical practice in neonatal care (evidence-based medicine, evidence-based economics, and quality improvement) can together optimize clinical and fiscal outcomes.

A risk-adjusted, composite outcomes score and resource utilization metrics for very low-birth-weight infants

IMPORTANCE

It is difficult for neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to determine the overall efficacy of multiple continuous quality improvement (CQI) projects aimed at reducing very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infant morbidities. It is challenging to know whether a NICU is becoming more proficient, and it is not usually apparent whether concurrent resource use is changing.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a risk-adjusted composite score of the major morbidities in VLBW infants and a companion metric that accounts for resource use to enhance the ability to measure overall progress in CQI and to identify proficient NICUs.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective investigation used individual patient-level demographic and outcomes data from 8 NICUs who were long term CQI collaborators within the Vermont Oxford Network, a large international quality improvement organization dedicated to improving the care of premature infants. Study participants were infants who weighed 401 to 1500 g born from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2011, at each of the 8 participating NICUs.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Risk-adjusted, composite VLBW infant morbidity and resource utilization score.

RESULTS

A total of 15,961 infants (mean [SD] gestational age, 28.2 [3.0] weeks; mean [SD] birth weight, 1020 [306] g) were analyzed. Concurrent with multiple shared CQI projects over 12 years, the group benefit metric improved 38% from 80 in 2000 to 110 in 2011 (P < .001). The entire member VON benefit metric improved 28% from 72 in 2000 to 92 in 2011 (P < .001). The group value metric improved 25% from 1.2 in 2000 to 1.5 in 2011 (P < .001). The entire member VON value metric improved 18% from 1.1 in 2000 to 1.3 in 2011 (P < .001). Significant inter-NICU variation in both composite scores was noted in the 8 member CQI group. Hospital length of stay increased in the 8 NICUs 64 to 71 days (P <.001), and a similar increase was noted in the entire member VON, 65 to 68 days (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

We have created the first, to our knowledge, web-based tool for NICUs to calculate their own composite morbidity and resource utilization scores that estimate NICU CQI proficiency. In our structured group CQI over 12 years, both metrics revealed significant improvement, but increases in length of stay (resource use) blunted value improvement. Why some NICUs improve their scores more successfully than others remains a crucial challenge. Future CQI efforts should explore strategies that cost-efficiently reduce intertwined VLBW infant morbidities, emphasizing whole cultures of proficient care rather than the traditional emphasis on single-morbidity reduction.

Baby-MONITOR: a composite indicator of NICU quality

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

NICUs vary in the quality of care delivered to very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. NICU performance on 1 measure of quality only modestly predicts performance on others. Composite measurement of quality of care delivery may provide a more comprehensive assessment of quality. The objective of our study was to develop a robust composite indicator of quality of NICU care provided to VLBW infants that accurately discriminates performance among NICUs.

METHODS

We developed a composite indicator, Baby-MONITOR, based on 9 measures of quality chosen by a panel of experts. Measures were standardized, equally weighted, and averaged. We used the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative database to perform across-sectional analysis of care given to VLBW infants between 2004 and 2010. Performance on the Baby-MONITOR is not an absolute marker of quality but indicates overall performance relative to that of the other NICUs. We used sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the composite indicator, by varying assumptions and methods.

RESULTS

Our sample included 9023 VLBW infants in 22 California regional NICUs. We found significant variations within and between NICUs on measured components of the Baby-MONITOR. Risk-adjusted composite scores discriminated performance among this sample of NICUs. Sensitivity analysis that included different approaches to normalization, weighting, and aggregation of individual measures showed the Baby-MONITOR to be robust (r = 0.89-0.99).

CONCLUSIONS

The Baby-MONITOR may be a useful tool to comprehensively assess the quality of care delivered by NICUs.

Prospective economic evaluation of a peer support intervention for prevention of postpartum depression among high-risk women in Ontario, Canada

OBJECTIVE

A previous multisite, randomized, controlled trial of peer support compared with usual care for prevention of postpartum depression demonstrated a reduction in depression symptoms at 12 weeks postbirth. Our objective was to determine the cost-effectiveness of this intervention.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospectively planned economic evaluation alongside the clinical trial to determine the cost per case of postpartum depression averted, using individual patient data (n = 610) and societal perspective. All costs were expressed in 2011 Canadian dollars.

RESULTS

The mean cost per woman was $4,497 in the peer support group and $3,380 in the usual care group (difference of $1,117, p < 0.0001). There was a 95% probability that the program would cost less than $20,196 per case of postpartum depression averted.

CONCLUSIONS

Although this is a volunteer-based program, it results in a net cost to the health care system and society. However, this cost is within the range for other accepted interventions for this population.

Correlation of neonatal intensive care unit performance across multiple measures of quality of care

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether high performance on one measure of quality is associated with high performance on others and to develop a data-driven explanatory model of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) performance.

DESIGN

We conducted a cross-sectional data analysis of a statewide perinatal care database. Risk-adjusted NICU ranks were computed for each of 8 measures of quality selected based on expert input. Correlations across measures were tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine whether underlying factors were driving the correlations.

SETTING

Twenty-two regional NICUs in California.

PATIENTS

In total, 5445 very low-birth-weight infants cared for between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2007.

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES

Pneumothorax, growth velocity, health care-associated infection, antenatal corticosteroid use, hypothermia during the first hour of life, chronic lung disease, mortality in the NICU, and discharge on any human breast milk.

RESULTS

The NICUs varied substantially in their clinical performance across measures of quality. Of 28 unit-level correlations, 6 were significant (ρ < .05). Correlations between pairs of measures of quality of care were strong (ρ ≥ .5) for 1 pair, moderate (range, ρ ≥ .3 to ρ < .5) for 8 pairs, weak (range, ρ ≥ .1 to ρ < .3) for 5 pairs, and negligible (ρ < .1) for 14 pairs. Exploratory factor analysis revealed 4 underlying factors of quality in this sample. Pneumothorax, mortality in the NICU, and antenatal corticosteroid use loaded on factor 1; growth velocity and health care-associated infection loaded on factor 2; chronic lung disease loaded on factor 3; and discharge on any human breast milk loaded on factor 4.

CONCLUSION

In this sample, the ability of individual measures of quality to explain overall quality of neonatal intensive care was modest.

Variations in definitions of mortality have little influence on neonatal intensive care unit performance ratings

OBJECTIVE

To measure the influence of varying mortality time frames on performance rankings among regional neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in a large state.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a cross-sectional data analysis of very low birth weight infants receiving care at 24 level 3 NICUs. We tested the effect of 4 definitions of mortality: (1) death between admission and end of birth hospitalization or up to 366 days; (2) death between 12 hours of age and the end of birth hospitalization or up to 366 days; (3) death between admission and 28 days; and (4) death between 12 hours of age and 28 days. NICUs were ranked by quantifying their deviation from risk-adjusted expected mortality and dividing them into 3 tiers: top 6, bottom 6, and in between.

RESULTS

There was wide interinstitutional variation in risk-adjusted mortality for each definition (observed minus expected z-score range, -6.08 to 3.75). However, mortality-based NICU rankings and classification into performance tiers were very similar for all institutions in each of our time frames. Among all 4 definitions, NICU rank correlations were high (>0.91). Few NICUs changed relative to a neighboring tier with changes in definitions, and none changed by more than one tier.

CONCLUSION

The time frame used to ascertain mortality had little effect on comparative NICU performance.

Nurse-to-patient ratios and neonatal outcomes: a brief systematic review

BACKGROUND

Higher patient-to-nurse ratios and nursing workload are associated with increased mortality in the adult intensive care unit (ICU). Most neonatal ICUs (NICUs) in the United Kingdom do not meet national staffing recommendations. The impact of staffing on outcomes in the NICU is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To determine how nurse-to-patient ratios or nursing workload affects outcomes in the NICU.

METHODS

Two authors (M.S., S.S.) searched PubMed, Medline, and EMBASE for eligible studies. Included studies reported on both the outcomes of infants admitted to a NICU and nurse-to-patient ratios or workload, and were published between 1/1990 and 4/2010 in any language. The primary outcome was mortality before discharge, relative to nurse-to-patient ratios. Secondary outcomes were intraventricular hemorrhage, daily weight gain, days on assisted ventilation, days on oxygen and nosocomial infection. Study quality was assessed with the STROBE checklist.

RESULTS

Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Three reported on the same group of patients. Only four studies reported death before discharge from the NICU relative to nurse-to-patient ratios. Three reported an association between lower nurse-to-patient ratios and higher mortality, and one reported just the opposite. Because each study used a different definition of nurse staffing, a meta-analysis could not be performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Nurse-to-patient ratios appear to affect outcomes of neonatal intensive care, but limitations of the existing literature prevent clear conclusions about optimal staffing strategies. Evidence-based standards for staffing could impact public policy and lead to improvements in patient safety and decreased rates of adverse outcomes. More research on this subject, including a standard and valid measure of nursing workload, is urgently needed.

Do transfusions cause necrotizing enterocolitis? The complementary role of randomized trials and observational studies

A systematic review and a meta-analysis of the published literature on the association between transfusions in newborns and the occurrence of transfusion-associated necrotizing enterocolitis were performed. We discuss the differences between findings in randomized trials, and the results of observational studies that first explored this putative link. We suggest the following framework: where observational studies play a hypothesis generating- role for therapies and harm, and randomized studies allow an acid test of that hypothesis. It is acknowledged that not all questions can be subject to a randomized evaluation, but argued that this particular association is amenable to such a test.

Neonatal intensive care unit discharge preparedness: primary care implications

OBJECTIVE

To investigate specific post-neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge outcomes and issues for families.

STUDY DESIGN

The authors prospectively surveyed family's discharge preparedness at the infant's NICU discharge. In the weeks after the infant was discharged, families were interviewed by telephone for self-reported utilization of health services as well as any infant-associated problems or issues.

RESULTS

At discharge, 35 of 287 (12%) families were "unprepared" as defined by a Likert response of less than 7 by either the family member or nursing assessment. Unprepared families were more likely to report that their pediatrician could not access the infant's NICU hospital discharge summary, problems with the infant's milk/formula, and an inability to obtain needed feeding supplies.

CONCLUSIONS

Although most of the families are "prepared" for discharge at the time of discharge, this study highlights several issues that primary care providers accepting care and NICU staff discharging infants/families should be aware.