First Golden Hour of Life: A Quality Improvement Initiative. (August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lambeth, Tinisha M.; Rojas, Mario A.; Holmes, Amy P.; Dail, Robin B.
• Other Names: Ikuta Linda MacKenna section editor.; Zukowsky Ksenia section editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in neonatal care. Volume 16:Number 4(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-08
• Subjects: antibiotics -- golden hour -- intravenous fluids -- preterm infant -- quality improvement -- temperature; Newborn infants -- Medical care -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Nursing -- Periodicals; Premature infants -- Hospital care -- Periodicals; 618.9201
• DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1536-0903

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Very low birth-weight (<1500 g) infants are vulnerable to their environment during the first hour after birth. We designed an evidence-based golden hour protocol (GHP) with a goal to stabilize and perform admission procedures within 1 hour of birth at a level IIIB neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Purpose: The aim of this quality improvement project was to ascertain whether an evidence-based GHP would improve care efficiency and short-term outcomes. Methods: Rapid cycles of change using Plan Do Study Act were utilized to document progress and gain knowledge during the quality improvement project. Measures were plotted with statistical process control methods (SPC), which analyzed improvement over time. Results: Both admission temperature and glucose-level means were within reference range throughout the project and predicted a stable process. We observed significantly decreased time to initiation of intravenous fluids and antibiotics. An upward trend of surfactant administration within the first 2 hours of life was also observed. Implications for Practice: The use of a GHP provided an organized approach to admission procedures and care. By using a checklist and recording intervention times, NICU caregivers were more aware of time management for each intervention and were able to decrease time to initiation of intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Implications for Research: Future research should focus on establishing normal blood pressure ranges and safe pain management during the "golden hour" and beyond. Future quality improvement should focus on improving subsequent temperature and blood glucose levels after admission umbilical artery and venous catheter placement.