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Discover Pediatric Collections on COVID-19 and Racism and Its Effects on Pediatric Health

American Academy of Pediatrics
Quality Report

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Optimize Antibiotic Use in a Level 4 NICU

Jeffrey M. Meyers, Jamey Tulloch, Kristen Brown, Mary T. Caserta, Carl T. D’Angio and THE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL NICU ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP TEAM
Pediatrics November 2020, 146 (5) e20193956; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3956
Jeffrey M. Meyers
aDivisions of Neonatology and
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Jamey Tulloch
aDivisions of Neonatology and
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Kristen Brown
bDepartment of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
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Mary T. Caserta
cInfectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and
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Carl T. D’Angio
aDivisions of Neonatology and
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Given the risks associated with antibiotics, efforts to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in the NICU have become increasingly urgent. In 2016, a comprehensive 3-year quality improvement (QI) initiative was conducted in a level 4 NICU that sought to decrease the antibiotic use rate (AUR) by 20%.

METHODS: This local QI initiative was conducted in the context of a multicenter learning collaborative focused on decreasing unnecessary antibiotic use. Improvement strategies focused on addressing gaps in the core elements of antibiotic stewardship programs. Outcome measures included the AUR and the percent of infants discharged without antibiotic exposure. Process measures included the percent of infants evaluated for early-onset sepsis (EOS) and duration of antibiotics used for various infections. Statistical process control charts were used to display and analyze data over time.

RESULTS: The AUR decreased from 27.6% at baseline to 15.5%, a 43% reduction, and has been sustained for >18 months. Changes most attributable to this decrease include implementation of the sepsis risk calculator, adopting a 36-hour rule-out period for sepsis evaluations, a 36-hour antibiotic hard stop, and novel guideline for EOS evaluation among infants <35 weeks. The percent of infants discharged without antibiotic exposure increased from 15.8% to 35.1%. The percent of infants ≥36 weeks undergoing evaluation for EOS decreased by 42.3% and for those <35 weeks by 26%.

CONCLUSIONS: Our efforts significantly reduced antibiotic use and exposure in our NICU. Our comprehensive, rigorous approach to QI is applicable to teams focused on improvement.

  • Accepted April 27, 2020.
  • Copyright © 2020 by the American Academy of Pediatrics

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Pediatrics
Vol. 146, Issue 5
1 Nov 2020
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A Quality Improvement Initiative To Optimize Antibiotic Use in a Level 4 NICU
Jeffrey M. Meyers, Jamey Tulloch, Kristen Brown, Mary T. Caserta, Carl T. D’Angio, THE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL NICU ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP TEAM
Pediatrics Nov 2020, 146 (5) e20193956; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-3956

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A Quality Improvement Initiative To Optimize Antibiotic Use in a Level 4 NICU
Jeffrey M. Meyers, Jamey Tulloch, Kristen Brown, Mary T. Caserta, Carl T. D’Angio, THE GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL NICU ANTIBIOTIC STEWARDSHIP TEAM
Pediatrics Nov 2020, 146 (5) e20193956; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-3956
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  • Improving Care and Outcomes for Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infections
  • Implementation of a Standardized Approach To Improve the Pediatric Discharge Medication Process
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