Improving genetic testing utilization in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit through quality improvement.

There is an increasing recognition of the importance of diagnosing genetic conditions with an ever-growing list of genetic testing options. However, most providers do not have formal genetics training, which makes choosing the most appropriate test to order challenging. Our project sought to improve cytogenetic testing utilization in a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through utilizing quality improvement techniques, specifically the Model for Improvement framework with rapid Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles.

Communication intervention in the neonatal intensive care unit: can it backfire?

Background: For parents of a critically ill infant, good communication may help alleviate stress and anxiety. To improve communication, physicians must be responsive to families' needs and values surrounding the care of their hospitalized infant.

Objective: We adapted a Decision-Making Tool for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (N-DMT) to encourage consideration of family concerns and preferences in daily care planning.