Improved Use of Human Milk, Growth, and Central Line Utilization With Standard Feeding Roadmap in an Academic NICU.

Background: Before the initiation of a standardized feeding roadmap in our regional, level IV academic neonatal intensive care unit, utilization of central lines was high, and initiation of enteral feeds delayed in the very low-birth-weight population (<1500 g). Given our review of the literature, it appeared that the standardization of feeding advancement would likely result in improved performance in both issues.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort comparison of very low-birth-weight patients before initiation of any feeding roadmap with a second cohort following completion of the final roadmap.