Predictors of circuit health in neonatal patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

To identify predictors of neonatal ECMO circuit health, a retrospective analysis of circuit functional pressure and flow parameters as well as infant clotting values were collected 48 h prior to and 24 h post circuit change. Circuit impairment was defined as need for partial or total circuit change. Statistical analysis used multivariate statistics and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U-test with possible non-normality of measurements.

Charge Nurses Taking Charge, Challenging the Culture of Culture-Negative Sepsis, and Preventing Central-Line Infections to Reduce NICU Antibiotic Usage.

Objective: We aimed to reduce our monthly antibiotic usage rate (AUR, days of treatment per 1,000 patient-days) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from a baseline of 330 (July 2015-April 2016) to 200 by December 2018.

Study Design: We identified three key drivers as follows: (1) engaging NICU charge nurses, (2) challenging the culture of culture-negative sepsis, and (3) reducing central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). Our main outcome was AUR.