MNSI Briefing paper: Newborn cooling practices

Summary

The Maternity and Newborn Safety Investigation (MNSI) has reviewed 20 investigations into the cooling of term babies across England. The findings show that national guidance on continuous temperature monitoring during cooling was not followed in half of cases.

Content

Ensuring continuous temperature monitoring during newborn cooling is an important area of learning identified through our neonatal investigations. A review of 20 investigations found opportunities to strengthen practice in line with national guidance in half of cases.

The new MNSI safety briefing draws on what we have learned through our investigations and aims to support the safe care of babies undergoing cooling in maternity and neonatal settings.

The briefing shares our evidence and insight on this topic and provides prompts for maternity and neonatal providers to consider:

• Whether local guidance on cooling aligns with national guidance, including when to commence passive cooling and the use of rectal temperature probes.
• Whether staff have the training and equipment they need to initiate cooling safely and consistently.