Using a composite morbidity score and cultural survey to explore characteristics of high proficiency neonatal intensive care units.

Publication Title

Archives of disease in childhood. Fetal and neonatal edition

Authors

Joseph Kaempf, Women and Children's Services, Department of Neonatology, Providence Health System, St. Vincent Medical Center, Medical Data and Research Center, Portland, Oregon, USA.Follow
L Wang, Women and Children's Services, Department of Neonatology, Providence Health System, St. Vincent Medical Center, Medical Data and Research Center, Portland, Oregon, USA.Follow
Michael Dunn

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2019

Keywords

Cognition; Environment; Gestational Age; Group Processes; Humans; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Knowledge; Morbidity; Organizational Culture; Patient Care Team; Problem Solving; Quality Indicators, Health Care; Retrospective Studies; Total Quality Management; composite morbidity score; continued quality improvement; potentially better practices; very low birth weight infants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Continuous quality improvement (CQI) collaboration has not eliminated the morbidity variability seen among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Factors other than inconstant application of potentially better practices (PBPs) might explain divergent proficiency.

OBJECTIVE: Measure a composite morbidity score and determine whether cultural, environmental and cognitive factors distinguish high proficiency from lower proficiency NICUs.

DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective analysis using a risk-adjusted composite morbidity score (Benefit Metric) and cultural survey focusing on very low birth weight (VLBW) infants from 39 NICUs, years 2000-2014. The Benefit Metric and yearly variance from the group mean was rank-ordered by NICU. A comprehensive survey was completed by each NICU exploring whether morbidity variance correlated with CQI methodology, cultural, environmental and/or cognitive characteristics.

RESULTS: 58 272 VLBW infants were included, mean (SD) age 28.2 (3.0) weeks, birth weight 1031 (301) g. The 39 NICU groups' Benefit Metric improved 40%, from 80 in 2000 to 112 in 2014 (P

CONCLUSION: Cultural, environmental and cognitive characteristics vary among NICUs perhaps more than traditional CQI methodology and PBPs, possibly explaining the inconstancy of VLBW infant morbidity reduction efforts. High proficiency NICUs foster spirited team work and camaraderie, sustained learning opportunities and support of favourable staffing that allows problem solving and widespread involvement in CQI activities.

Area of Special Interest

Women & Children

Specialty/Research Institute

Perinatology/Neonatology