Use and perceived safety of stylets for neonatal endotracheal intubation: a national survey.

Objective: To examine the use and perceived safety of stylets for neonatal intubation in a cohort of providers in the United States.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was sent to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine.

Result: A total of 640 responses were received.

Evaluating an Association between Ampicillin and Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Preterm Infants.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a common and potentially devastating adverse outcome affecting up to 30% of preterm infants. β-Lactam antibiotics affect platelet activation through interaction with platelet surface receptors. The objective of this study was to evaluate an association between ampicillin use and the development of IVH in preterm infants.

In search of perinatal quality outcome measures: 1 hospital's in-depth analysis of the Adverse Outcomes Index.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the Adverse Outcome Index perinatal quality indicator system that was derived from administrative data.

Study Design: Adverse events were identified for 10 component measures; the Adverse Outcome Index was calculated by the National Perinatal Information Center from 42 months of administrative data. After retrospective chart review, we estimated positive predictive value for 10 measures that were obtained by corrected calculations of Adverse Outcome Index.

Effects of transfusions in extremely low birth weight infants: a retrospective study.

Objectives: To determine the risks and benefits associated with the transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. We hypothesized that when ELBW infants underwent transfusion with the University of Washington Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) 2006 guidelines, no clinical benefit would be discernible.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all ELBW infants admitted to the NICU in 2006.

Evaluation of an anonymous system to report medical errors in pediatric inpatients.

Objective: To compare reports of medical errors in hospitalized children submitted using an electronic, anonymous reporting system with those submitted via traditional incident reports.

Study Design: During the 3-month study period in 2003, reports of medical errors from 2 units at a large children's hospital were made using an electronic, anonymous system. Three reviewers independently evaluated each report and determined whether the events described constituted a medical error.

Use of incident reports by physicians and nurses to document medical errors in pediatric patients.

Objectives: To describe the proportion and types of medical errors that are stated to be reported via incident report systems by physicians and nurses who care for pediatric patients and to determine attitudes about potential interventions for increasing error reports.

Methods: A survey on use of incident reports to document medical errors was sent to a random sample of 200 physicians and nurses at a large children's hospital. Items on the survey included proportion of medical errors that were reported, reasons for underreporting medical errors, and attitudes about potential interventions for increasing error reports.

Zinc protoporphyrin/heme as an indicator of iron status in NICU patients.

Objective: Zinc protoporphyrin/heme ratio (ZnPP/H) has been well established as an indicator of functional iron deficiency in subjects 6 months of age to adult. The primary objective of this study was to establish normative values for ZnPP/H in NICU patients and secondarily to explore the utility of this test as an indicator of iron deficiency in neonates. Study design ZnPP/H and complete blood counts were obtained weekly on consecutive NICU patients.