Presentation Information

Caraciolo J. Fernandes

Improving the Quality of Neonatal Transport

  • Speaker: Caraciolo J. Fernandes , MD, MBA
  • Presentation Type:
  • Duration: 60 Mins
  • Credits: 1 CERP, 1 Nursing CEU, 1 CME
Abstract:

Premature and sick babies are often born in locations ill-equipped to care for them. They are then transported to higher levels of care for sophisticated diagnostic tests and specialized care. However, while such transport is necessary, it is not without risk. Since critically-ill infants can deteriorate clinically during transport, ideally only specialized teams should transport sick infants. Unfortunately, this is not pragmatically possible nor is the standard of care. With regionalization of care, more infants are transferred to tertiary-care centers for specialized care than ever before and not all centers have specialized transport teams to transport infants. Despite best efforts, not all transports will go well, and often processes and outcomes may leave much to be desired. Hence, it is vital for hospital administrators and clinicians to learn quality improvement (QI) methodology, monitor relevant metrics, and implement QI initiatives to order to improve outcomes. Fortunately, developing a QI mindset and applying it to neonatal transport can easily be done with practice. Learning how to prioritize QI initiatives, assemble QI teams, lead healthcare change, sustain improvements, and develop a culture that strives to improve are all desirable and can yield significant tangible benefits for clinicians and their patients.

Live Presentation Schedule

Jun 1, 2021