AI Article Synopsis
- Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) has a complex risk profile, prompting the development of two tools aimed at enhancing risk awareness among neonatal caregivers, particularly nurses.
- The GutCheck tool was rigorously validated through research phases while the eNEC tool emerged from a quality improvement initiative, both aiming to help in the early identification and management of NEC cases.
- Clinicians can actively mitigate NEC by addressing modifiable factors like standardized feeding practices and careful management of transfusions, highlighting the importance of feeding protocols during this critical time.
Article Abstract
Background And Significance: Risk for neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is complex, reflecting its multifactorial pathogenesis.
Purpose: To improve risk awareness and facilitate communication among neonatal caregivers, especially nurses, 2 tools were developed.
Design: GutCheck was derived and validated as part of a formal research study over 3 phases, evidence synthesis, expert consensus building, and statistical modeling. The Wetzel/Krisman tool, eNEC, was developed and tested as part of a quality improvement initiative in a single clinical setting using evidence synthesis, review by internal expert clinicians, and implementation and evaluation of its use by direct line neonatal staff. Refinement of both tools is under way to evaluate their effect on clinical decision making, early identification of NEC and surgical NEC.
Methods And Main Outcomes: Clinicians can take an active role to reduce NEC in their units by focusing on modifiable risk factors such as adoption of standardized feeding protocols, preferential feeding of human milk, and antibiotic and histamine blocker stewardship.
Results: Feeding during transfusion remains controversial, but judicious use of transfusions, adoption of transfusion guidelines, and withholding feeding during transfusion are feasible measures with potential benefit to prevent NEC and confer little risk.
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Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034158 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/ANC.0000000000000063 | DOI Listing |
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