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Goodarzi B, Seijmonsbergen-Schermers A, Cronie D, van Laerhoven H, van den Akker T, van Kaam AH, de Jonge A. (Un)warranted variation in local hospital protocols for neonatal referral to the pediatrician: An explorative study in the Netherlands. Birth 2023; 50:215-233. [PMID: 36373864 DOI: 10.1111/birt.12690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies indicate unwarranted variation in a wide range of neonatal care practices, contributing to preventable morbidity and mortality. Unwarranted variation is the result of complex interactions and multiple determinants. One of the determinants contributing to unwarranted variation in care may be variation in local hospital protocols. The purpose of this study was to examine variation in the content of obstetric and neonatal protocols for six common indications for neonatal referral to the pediatrician: large for gestational age/macrosomia, small for gestational age/fetal growth restriction, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, vacuum extraction, forceps extraction, and cesarean birth. METHODS We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional study examining protocols for neonatal referral to the pediatrician in the obstetric and neonatal departments of all Dutch hospitals. Variation in protocols was analyzed between regions, between neonatal and obstetrics departments located in the same hospital, and within neonatal and obstetrics departments. RESULTS There was considerable variation in protocols between regions, between neonatal and obstetrics departments, and within neonatal and obstetrics departments. The results of this study showed considerable variation in recommendations for type of referral, admission, screening/diagnostic tests, treatment, and discharge. Furthermore, results generally showed lower referral thresholds in neonatal departments compared with obstetric departments, and higher referral thresholds in the eastern region of the Netherlands. We also found variation in local hospital protocols, which could not be explained by population characteristics but which may be explained by varying recommendations in existing national and international guidelines and/or lack of adherence to these guidelines. CONCLUSIONS To reduce unwarranted variation in local protocols, evidence-based, multidisciplinary guidelines should be developed in the Netherlands. Further research addressing knowledge gaps is needed to inform these guidelines. Attention should be paid to the implementation of evidence, and only where evidence is lacking or inconclusive should agreements be based on multidisciplinary consensus. Where protocols deviate from evidence-based guidelines because of specific local circumstances, clearer, more transparent justifications should be made. Uniformity in guidance will offer clear standards for care evaluation and provide opportunities to reduce inappropriate care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahareh Goodarzi
- Department of Midwifery Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Midwifery Academy Amsterdam Groningen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Seijmonsbergen-Schermers
- Department of Midwifery Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Midwifery Academy Amsterdam Groningen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Public Health, Quality of Care, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Doug Cronie
- Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Healthcare, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Thomas van den Akker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Athena Institute, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anton H van Kaam
- Department of neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ank de Jonge
- Department of Midwifery Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Midwifery Academy Amsterdam Groningen, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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