Implementing a robust process improvement program in the neonatal intensive care unit to reduce harm (January 2022)

Summary

Preventable harm continues to occur to critically ill premature babies, despite efforts by hospital neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) to improve processes and reduce harm. This article in the Journal for Healthcare Quality describes the introduction of a robust process improvement (RPI) program at a NICU in a US children's hospital.

Leaders, staff, and parents were trained in RPI concepts and tools and given regular mentoring for their improvement initiatives, which focused on central line blood stream infections, very low birth weight infant nutrition and unplanned extubations.

The authors conclude that implementing the RPI program resulted in significant and sustainable improvements to reduce harm in the NICU.