Process variations between Swiss units treating neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and their effect on short-term outcome

OBJECTIVE: To compare therapeutic hypothermia (TH) treatment of term and near-term neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) between neonatal units. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based, retrospective analysis of TH initiation and maintenance, and of diagnostic imaging. The comparison between units was based on crude data analysis, indirect standardization, and adjusted logistic regression. RESULTS: TH was provided to 570 neonates with HIE between 2011 and 2018 in 10 Swiss units. We excluded 121 off-protocol cooled neonates to avoid selection bias. Of the remaining 449 neonates, the outcome was favorable to international benchmarks, but there were large unit-to-unit variations in baseline perinatal data and TH management. A total of 5% neonates did not reach target temperature within 7 h (3-10% between units), and 29% experienced over- or undercooling (0-38%). CONCLUSION: Although the neonates had favorable short-term outcomes, areas for improvement remain for Swiss units in both process and outcome measures

Increase in Standardized Management of Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Since Implementation of a Patient Register

The Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register was implemented in 2011. This study assessed quality indicators of the cooling process and (short-term) outcomes of neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) receiving therapeutic hypothermia (TH) longitudinally over time in Switzerland. This is a multicenter national retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected register data. Quality indicators were defined for longitudinal comparison (2011-2014 vs. 2015-2018) of processes of TH and (short-term) outcomes of neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE. Five hundred seventy neonates receiving TH in 10 Swiss cooling centers were included (2011-2018). Four hundred forty-nine (449/570; 78.8%) neonates with moderate-to-severe HIE received TH according to the Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register Protocol. Quality indicators of processes of TH improved in 2015-2018 (compared with 2011-2014): less passive cooling (p = 0.013), shorter time to reach target temperature (p = 0.002), and less over- or undercooling (p < 0.001). In 2015-2018, adherence to performing a cranial magnetic resonance imaging after rewarming improved (p < 0.001), whereas less cranial ultrasounds were performed on admission (p = 0.012). With regard to quality indicators of short-term outcomes, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the neonate was reduced (p = 0.003), and there was a trend toward less coagulopathy (p = 0.063) in 2015-2018. There was no statistically significant change in the remaining processes and outcomes. The Swiss National Asphyxia and Cooling Register is well implemented with good overall adherence to the treatment protocol. Management of TH improved longitudinally. Continuous reevaluation of register data is desirable for quality assessment, benchmarking, and maintaining international evidence-based quality standards