Quality improvement measures in reducing hypothermia among at-risk neonates

Phase I-

Axillary temperature using digital thermometer of

1. All VLBW babies delivered at Kasturba hospital will be measured after resuscitation and at admission to NICU.

2. All babies going for surgery to OT before leaving and at arrival to NICU

3. All babies going for investigations (CT,MRI) before leaving and at arrival to NICU.

Incidence of hypothermia will be noted.

Phase II-

Hypothermia prevention team (myself along with nursing staff and neonatology staff representatives ) will optimise the NICU policy for neonatal transport with inputs from OBGY, Anaesthesia and radiology staff.

1. Knowledge of health care providers pre quality improvement will be tested by questionnaire

2. Quality improvement bundle will be developed based on phase I data analysis.

3. Quality improvement bundle will include use of plastic wraps, exothermic blankets, caps, socks and gloves wherever applicable and any other measures based on phase I data.

4. Quality improvement bundle and feasibility of thermoregulatory equipment will be based on neonatal needs

Phase III-

1. Knowledge of health care providers post quality improvement will be tested by questionnaire

2. Axillary temperatures will be measured by digital thermometers after implementation of new initiatives

The results will then be compared with pre quality improvement values.