Impact of an educational intervention and clinical performance dashboard on neonatal bloodstream infections

Background. Blood cultures are the most direct method of detecting bacteraemia. Reducing contamination rates improves the specificity and positive predictive value of the blood culture. Clinical performance dashboards have been shown to be powerful tools in improving patient care and outcomes.Objectives. To determine whether prospective surveillance of bloodstream infections (BSIs), introduction of an educational intervention and the use of a clinical performance dashboard could reduce BSIs and blood culture contamination rates in a neonatal nursery.Methods. We compared two time periods, before and after an intervention. Blood culture data were extracted from the local microbiology laboratory database. The educational intervention included the establishment of hand-washing protocols, blood culture techniques and video tools. A clinical performance dashboard was developed to demonstrate the monthly positive blood culture and contamination rates, and this was highlighted and referred to weekly at the unit staff meeting.Results. Before the intervention, 1 460 blood cultures were taken; 206 (14.1%) were positive, of which 104 (7.1% of the total) were contaminants. In the period following the intervention, 1 282 blood cultures were taken; 131 (10.2%) were positive, of which 42 (3.3% of the total) were contaminants. The number of positive blood cultures and contamination rates after the intervention were both statistically significantly reduced (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively).Conclusion. This study demonstrates that adopting a relatively simple educational tool, making use of a clinical performance dashboard indicator and benchmarking practice can significantly reduce the level of neonatal sepsis while also reducing contaminated blood cultures

Retinopathy of prematurity in a cohort of neonates at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Background. Severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can cause blindness. Before 2016, resource limitations precluded routine screening for ROP at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, South Africa. Previous pilot studies at GSH found no patients with ROP requiring treatment; however, improved preterm infant survival may affect the prevalence.Objectives. To determine the prevalence and severity of ROP, describe potential risk factors, and assess the feasibility of ROP screening.Methods. Infants with a birth weight (BW) of <1 251 g or a gestational age (GA) of ≤31 weeks were screened from November 2012 to May 2013.Results. Three hundred and thirteen ROP examinations were performed in 135 of 191 eligible infants. The mean GA and BW were 30.1 weeks (standard deviation (SD) 1.9) and 1 056 g (SD 172), respectively. ROP was diagnosed in 40 infants (29.6%); 8 (5.9%) had severe ROP and 2 (1.5%) received laser treatment. Infants with ROP had a lower mean GA (29.2 weeks (SD 1.6) v. 30.5 weeks (SD 1.9)) (p<0.002) and a lower mean BW (988 g (SD 181) v. 1 085 g (SD 160)) (p=0.001) than those without ROP. Infants weighing <1 000 g had a 2.5 times higher risk than those with a BW of ≥1 000 g of having ROP (95% confidence interval 1.05 - 5.90; p=0.03). Blood transfusions (p<0.002) and late-onset sepsis (p=0.024) were strongly associated with ROP. Screening was completed in 91.1% (123/135) of the infants.Conclusions. The prevalence and severity of ROP have increased at GSH. The strong association between ROP, BW and GA suggests that infants with lower BWs and GAs should be prioritised for screening in our resource-limited setting

Resource implications of adopting a restrictive neonatal blood transfusion policy

Background. Blood transfusions (BTFs) are not without risk and pose a significant financial burden on resource-limited services. In line with current international evidence, the nursery at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, South Africa, introduced a restrictive BTF protocol to minimise transfusions and manage costs.Objective. To determine whether adopting a restrictive BTF policy results in fewer transfusions. Methods. Data were retrospectively collected on all infants who received BTFs in the GSH nursery over a 6-month period following adoption of a restrictive BTF policy in 2010. BTF figures for a similar time period before the restrictive policy, during 2008, were obtained for comparison.Results. After introduction of the restrictive BTF policy, 42 of 1 097 infants admitted (3.8%) received a total of 64 BTFs. In comparison, 102 of a total of 940 infants (10.9%) admitted during a period of the same length before introduction of the restrictive BTF policy received a total of 121 transfusions. Comparison between the number of BTFs administered before and after the restrictive policy showed a highly statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The total cost of the blood products used in the two 6-month periods was R91 870 v. R48 640, based on current prices. Conclusions. By adopting a restrictive policy, we were able to halve the number of BTFs, reduce risks associated with transfusions, and achieve significant cost benefits. Following evidence-based guidelines results in high standards of care, while also making the most effective use of resources.

A randomised controlled trial of high vs low volume initiation and rapid vs slow advancement of milk feeds in infants with birthweights 1000 g in a resource-limited setting

Background: Optimal feeding regimens for infants ≤ 1000 g have not been established and are a global healthcare concern. Aims and objectives: A controlled trial to establish the safety and efficacy of high vs low volume initiation and rapid vs slow advancement of milk feeds in a resource-limited setting was undertaken. Methods: Infants ≤ 1000 g birthweight were randomised to one of four arms, either low (4 ml/kg/day) or high (24 ml/kg/day) initiation and either slow (24 ml/kg/day) or rapid (36 ml/kg/day) advancement of exclusive feeds of human milk (mother’s or donor) until a weight of 1200 g was reached. After this point, formula was used to supplement insufficient mother’s milk. The primary outcome was time to reach 1500 g. Results: infants were recruited (51: low/slow; 47: low/rapid; 52: high/slow; 50: high/rapid). Infants on rapid advancement regimens reached 1500 g most rapidly (hazard ratio 1.48, 95% CI 1.05–2.09, P=0.03). The rapid advancement groups also regained birthweight more rapidly (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% CI 1.26–2.50, P=0.001). There was no apparent effect of high vs low initiation volumes but there was some evidence of interaction between interventions. There were no significant differences in other secondary outcomes, including necrotising enterocolitis, feed intolerance and late-onset sepsis. Conclusions: In this small pilot study, higher initiation feed volumes and larger daily increments appeared to be well tolerated and resulted in more rapid early weight gain. These data provide justification for a larger study in resource-limited settings to address mortality, necrotising enterocolitis and other important outcomes

Enteral feeding practices in preterm infants in South Africa

Background: Optimal feeding regimens in babies weighing <1 000 g have not been established, and wide variations occur. In South Africa (SA) this situation is complicated by varied resource constraints. Objective: To determine the preterm enteral feeding practices of paediatricians in SA. Methods: We invited 288 paediatricians to participate in a cross-sectional web-based survey. Results. We received responses from 31.2% of the paediatricians; 43.6% were from the state sector and 56.4% from the private sector. Most participants worked in medium-sized neonatal units with 6 - 10 beds. The proportions commencing feeds within the first 24 hours were 24% in infants of <25 weeks’ gestational age, 36% in infants 25 - 27 weeks, and 65% in infants 28 - 31 weeks. Feed volumes were routinely advanced daily in 47% of infants <25 weeks, 68% of infants 25 - 27 weeks, and 90% of infants 28 - 31 weeks. Forty-five per cent of infants <25 weeks received continuous intragastric feeds, while 50% of those in the 28 - 31 weeks group were on 3-hourly bolus feeds. The majority of the participants targeted full enteral feeds of 161 - 180 ml/kg/d, 66.7% had access to donor milk, and 77% used breastmilk fortifier. Conclusion: This is the first study to survey feeding practices in SA. The survey did not highlight differences in feeding practices among paediatricians. These data could be valuable in the design of local collaborative trials to determine optimal feeding strategies

Resource implications of adopting a restrictive neonatal blood transfusion policy

BACKGROUND: Blood transfusions (BTFs) are not without risk and pose a significant financial burden on resource-limited services. In line with current international evidence, the nursery at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, South Africa, introduced a restrictive BTF protocol to minimise transfusions and manage costs. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether adopting a restrictive BTF policy results in fewer transfusions. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected on all infants who received BTFs in the GSH nursery over a 6-month period following adoption of a restrictive BTF policy in 2010. BTF figures for a similar time period before the restrictive policy, during 2008, were obtained for comparison. RESULTS: After introduction of the restrictive BTF policy, 42 of 1 097 infants admitted (3.8%) received a total of 64 BTFs. In comparison, 102 of a total of 940 infants (10.9%) admitted during a period of the same length before introduction of the restrictive BTF policy received a total of 121 transfusions. Comparison between the number of BTFs administered before and after the restrictive policy showed a highly statistically significant difference (p<0.001). The total cost of the blood products used in the two 6-month periods was R91 870 v. R48 640, based on current prices. CONCLUSIONS: By adopting a restrictive policy, we were able to halve the number of BTFs, reduce risks associated with transfusions, and achieve significant cost benefits. Following evidence-based guidelines results in high standards of care, while also making the most effective use of resources

Retinopathy of prematurity in a cohort of neonates at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Background. Severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can cause blindness. Before 2016, resource limitations precluded routine screening for ROP at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, South Africa. Previous pilot studies at GSH found no patients with ROP requiring treatment; however, improved preterm infant survival may affect the prevalence. Objectives. To determine the prevalence and severity of ROP, describe potential risk factors, and assess the feasibility of ROP screening. Methods. Infants with a birth weight (BW) of <1 251 g or a gestational age (GA) of ≤31 weeks were screened from November 2012 to May 2013. Results. Three hundred and thirteen ROP examinations were performed in 135 of 191 eligible infants. The mean GA and BW were 30.1 weeks (standard deviation (SD) 1.9) and 1 056 g (SD 172), respectively. ROP was diagnosed in 40 infants (29.6%); 8 (5.9%) had severe ROP and 2 (1.5%) received laser treatment. Infants with ROP had a lower mean GA (29.2 weeks (SD 1.6) v. 30.5 weeks (SD 1.9)) (p<0.002) and a lower mean BW (988 g (SD 181) v. 1 085 g (SD 160)) (p=0.001) than those without ROP. Infants weighing <1 000 g had a 2.5 times higher risk than those with a BW of ≥1 000 g of having ROP (95% confidence interval 1.05 - 5.90; p=0.03). Blood transfusions (p<0.002) and late-onset sepsis (p=0.024) were strongly associated with ROP. Screening was completed in 91.1% (123/135) of the infants. Conclusions. The prevalence and severity of ROP have increased at GSH. The strong association between ROP, BW and GA suggests that infants with lower BWs and GAs should be prioritised for screening in our resource-limited setting

Retinopathy of prematurity in a cohort of neonates at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa

Background. Severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) can cause blindness. Before 2016, resource limitations precluded routine screening for ROP at Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH), Cape Town, South Africa. Previous pilot studies at GSH found no patients with ROP requiring treatment; however, improved preterm infant survival may affect the prevalence. Objectives. To determine the prevalence and severity of ROP, describe potential risk factors, and assess the feasibility of ROP screening. Methods. Infants with a birth weight (BW) of <1 251 g or a gestational age (GA) of ≤31 weeks were screened from November 2012 to May 2013. Results. Three hundred and thirteen ROP examinations were performed in 135 of 191 eligible infants. The mean GA and BW were 30.1 weeks (standard deviation (SD) 1.9) and 1 056 g (SD 172), respectively. ROP was diagnosed in 40 infants (29.6%); 8 (5.9%) had severe ROP and 2 (1.5%) received laser treatment. Infants with ROP had a lower mean GA (29.2 weeks (SD 1.6) v. 30.5 weeks (SD 1.9)) (p<0.002) and a lower mean BW (988 g (SD 181) v. 1 085 g (SD 160)) (p=0.001) than those without ROP. Infants weighing <1 000 g had a 2.5 times higher risk than those with a BW of ≥1 000 g of having ROP (95% confidence interval 1.05 - 5.90; p=0.03). Blood transfusions (p<0.002) and late-onset sepsis (p=0.024) were strongly associated with ROP. Screening was completed in 91.1% (123/135) of the infants. Conclusions. The prevalence and severity of ROP have increased at GSH. The strong association between ROP, BW and GA suggests that infants with lower BWs and GAs should be prioritised for screening in our resource-limited setting

Limited resources restrict the provision of adequate neonatal respiratory care in the countries of Africa

Aim Over two thirds of newborn deaths occur in Africa and South Asia, and respiratory failure is a major contributor of these deaths. The exact availability of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and surfactant in Africa is unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the availability of newborn respiratory care treatments in the countries of Africa. Methods Surveys, in English, French and Portuguese, were sent to neonatal leaders in all 48 continental countries and the two islands with populations over 1 million. Results Forty-nine (98%) countries responded. Twenty-one countries reported less than 50 paediatricians, and 12 countries had no neonatologists. Speciality neonatal nursing was recognised in 57% of countries. Most units were able to provide supplemental oxygen. CPAP was available in 63% and 67% of the most well-equipped government and private hospitals. Surfactant was available in 33% and 39% of the most well-equipped public and private hospitals, respectively. Availability of CPAP and surfactant was greatly reduced in smaller cities. Continuous oxygen saturation monitoring was only available in 33% of countries. Conclusion The availability of proven life-saving interventions in Africa is inadequate. There is a need to sustainably improve availability and use of these interventions