A Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia in a Level 4 NICU-Golden Hour Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Newborns.

Background: Prevention of chronic lung disease (CLD) requires a multidisciplinary approach spanning from the delivery room to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharge. In 2018, a quality improvement (QI) initiative commenced in a level 4 NICU with the goal of decreasing chronic lung disease rates below the Vermont Oxford Network (VON) average of 24%.

Methods: Improvement strategies focused on addressing the primary drivers of ventilation strategies, surfactant administration, non-invasive ventilation, medication use, and nutrition/fluid management.

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Optimize Antibiotic Use in a Level 4 NICU.

Background: Given the risks associated with antibiotics, efforts to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in the NICU have become increasingly urgent. In 2016, a comprehensive 3-year quality improvement (QI) initiative was conducted in a level 4 NICU that sought to decrease the antibiotic use rate (AUR) by 20%.

Methods: This local QI initiative was conducted in the context of a multicenter learning collaborative focused on decreasing unnecessary antibiotic use.