A Continuous Quality Improvement Project to Implement Infant‐Driven Feeding as a Standard of Practice in the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit. Issue 5 (20th July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chrupcala, Kimberly A.; Edwards, Taryn M.; Spatz, Diane L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing. Volume 44:Issue 5(2015)
• Page Start: 654
• Page End: 664
• Publication Date: 2015-07-20
• Subjects: Maternity nursing -- Periodicals; Gynecologic nursing -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Care -- Periodicals; Pediatric nursing -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female -- nursing; Obstetrical Nursing; Pediatric Nursing; 618.2
• DOI: 10.1111/1552-6909.12727
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0884-2175

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec id="jogn12727-sec-0010" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To increase the number of neonates who were fed according to cues prior to discharge and potentially decrease length of stay.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12727-sec-0020" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Continuous quality improvement.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12727-sec-0030" sec-type="section"> <title>Setting</title> <p>Eighty‐five bed level IV neonatal intensive care unit.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12727-sec-0040" sec-type="section"> <title>Patients</title> <p>Surgical and nonsurgical neonates of all gestational ages. Neonates younger than 32 weeks gestation, who required intubation, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), high flow nasal cannula (HFNC), or did not have suck or gag reflexes were excluded as potential candidates for infant‐driven feeding.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12727-sec-0050" sec-type="section"> <title>Intervention/Measurements</title> <p>The project was conducted over a 13‐month period using the following methods: (a) baseline data collection, (b) designation of Infant Driven Feeding (IDF) Champions, (c) creation of a multidisciplinary team, (d) creation of electronic health record documentation, (e) initial staff education, (f) monthly team meetings, (g) reeducation throughout the duration of the project, and (h) patient‐family education.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12727-sec-0060" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Baseline data were collected on 20 neonates with a mean gestational age of 36 0/7<sup>th</sup> weeks and a mean total length of stay (LOS) of 43 days. Postimplementation data were collected on 150 neonates with a mean gestational age of 36 1/7<sup>th</sup> weeks and a mean total LOS of 36.4 days. A potential decrease in the mean total LOS of stay by 6.63 days was achieved during this continuous quality improvement (CQI) project.</p> </sec> <sec id="jogn12727-sec-0070" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Neonates who are fed according to cues can become successful oral feeders and can be safely discharged home regardless of gestational age or diagnosis.</p> </sec> </abstract>