Impact of Physician Characteristics on Late-Onset Sepsis (LOS) Evaluation in the NICU.

The threshold for a late-onset sepsis (LOS) evaluation varies considerably across NICUs. This unexplained variability is probably related in part to physician bias regarding when sepsis should be "ruled out". The aim of this study is to determine if physician characteristics (race, gender, immigration status, years of experience and academic rank) effect LOS evaluation in the NICU.

Noise Reduction in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Exogenous noise has deleterious effects on the developing fetus and infant. The aim of this quality improvement project was to lower the mean ambient noise level within a level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by 10% from the baseline in one year. Multiple noise reduction strategies were tested through Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles based on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement model for improvement.