eNewborn: The Information Technology Revolution and Challenges for Neonatal Networks

Video-Recorded Airway Suctioning of Clear and Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid and Associated Short-Term Outcomes in Moderately and Severely Depressed Preterm and Term Infants

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate delivery room airway suctioning and associated short-term outcomes in depressed infants.

METHODS

This is a single-centre prospective observational study of transcribed video recordings of preterm (gestational age, GA < 37 weeks) and term (GA ≥ 37 weeks) infants with a 5 min Apgar score ≤ 7. We analysed the association between airway suctioning, breathing, bradycardia and prolonged resuscitation (≥10 min). For comparison, non-suctioned infants with a 5 min Apgar score ≤ 7 were included.

RESULTS

Two hundred suction episodes were performed in 19 premature and 56 term infants. Breathing improved in 1.9% of premature and 72.1% of term infants, and remained unchanged in 84.9% of premature and 27.9% of term infants after suctioning. In our study, 61 (81.3%) preterm and term infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit experienced bradycardia after airway suctioning. However, the majority of the preterm and more than half of the term infants were bradycardic before the suction procedure was attempted. Among the non-airway suctioned infants (n = 26), 73.1% experienced bradycardia, with 17 non-airway suctioned infants being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. There was a need for resuscitation ≥ 10 min in 8 (42.1%) preterm and 32 (57.1%) term infants who underwent airway suctioning, compared to 2 (33.3%) preterm and 19 (95.0%) term infants who did not receive airway suctioning.

CONCLUSIONS

In the infants that underwent suctioning, breathing improved in most term, but not preterm infants. More non-suctioned term infants needed prolonged resuscitation. Airway suctioning was not directly associated with worsening of breathing, bradycardia, or extended resuscitation needs.

Facilitating quality improvement through routinely recorded clinical information

In this chapter, I discuss how quality improvement activities can be facilitated using routinely available clinical data. I begin by providing a definition of quality improvement and quality healthcare, and identifying what I consider key components and their information requirements. I suggest that quality improvement can be made simpler, more efficient and less labour and resource intensive by focussing on outcomes. Finally, I provide pointers for developing resources of routinely available clinical information.

Evaluating preterm care across Europe using the eNewborn European Network database

BACKGROUND

The inefficiency of recording data repeatedly limits the number of studies conducted. Here we illustrate the wider use of data captured as part of the European eNewborn benchmarking programme.

METHODS

We extracted data on 39,529 live-births from 22 weeks 0 days to 31 weeks 6 days gestational age (GA) or ≤1500 g birth weight. We explored relationships between delivery room care and Apgar scores on mortality and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and calculated the time needed for each country to detect a clinically relevant change in these outcomes following a hypothetical intervention.

RESULTS

Early neonatal, neonatal, and in-hospital mortality were 3.90% (95% CI 3.71, 4.09), 6.00% (5.77, 6.24) and 7.57% (7.31, 7.83), respectively. The odds of death were greater with decreasing GA, lower Apgar scores, growth restriction, male sex, multiple birth and no antenatal steroids. Relationships for BPD were similar. The time required for participating countries to achieve 80% power to detect a relevant change in outcomes following a hypothetical intervention in 23-25 weeks' GA infants ranged from 12 years for neonatal mortality and 22 years for BPD compared to 1 year for the whole network.

CONCLUSIONS

The eNewborn platform offers opportunity to drive efficiencies in benchmarking, quality control and research.

Delivery room handling of the newborn

For newly born babies, especially those in need of intervention at birth, actions taken during the first minute after birth, the so-called "Golden Minute", can have important implications for long-term outcomes. Both delivery room handling, including identification of maternal and infant risk factors and provision of effective resuscitation interventions, and antenatal care decisions regarding antenatal steroid administration and mode of delivery, are important and can affect outcomes. Anticipating risk factors for neonates at high risk of requiring resuscitation can decrease time to resuscitation and improve the prognosis. Following a review of maternal and fetal risk factors affecting newborn resuscitation, we summarize the current recommendations for delivery room handling of the newborn. This includes recommendations and rationale for the use of delayed cord clamping and cord milking, heart rate assessment [including the use of electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes in the delivery room], role of suctioning in newborn resuscitation, and the impact of various ventilatory modes. Oxygenation should be monitored by pulse oximetry. Effects of oxygen and surfactant on subsequent pulmonary outcomes, and recommendations for provisions of appropriate thermoregulatory support are discussed. Regular teaching of delivery room handling should be mandatory.

Information technology infrastructure, quality improvement and research: the UK National Neonatal Research Database

Technological developments, coupled with strengthened governance and data security have led to increasing recognition of the potential of real-world health data to benefit patient care and health services. Real-world health data are those captured in the course of routine care. Here I describe a mature source of real-world health data, the UK National Neonatal Research Database and provide examples of the many types of uses it supports.

Can a collaborative healthcare network improve the care of people with epilepsy?

New opportunities are now available to improve care in ways not possible previously. Information contained in electronic medical records can now be shared without identifying patients. With network collaboration, large numbers of medical records can be searched to identify patients most like the one whose complex medical situation challenges the physician. The clinical effectiveness of different treatment strategies can be assessed rapidly to help the clinician decide on the best treatment for this patient. Other capabilities from different components of the network can prompt the recognition of what is the best available option and encourage the sharing of information about programs and electronic tools. Difficulties related to privacy, harmonization, integration, and costs are expected, but these are currently being addressed successfully by groups of organizations led by those who recognize the benefits.