Quality Improvement (QI) in the NICU

Our NPM fellows have numerous opportunities to learn about and participate in quality improvement.  In addition, there is the potential for more formal curriculum for those focusing their scholarly work/career in this field.

In conjunction with HSR researchers in the Section of Neonatology, participation, and scholarly work within unit-level or state-wide quality improvement projects in partnership with Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative [cpcqc] is available to trainees. Examples of neonatal initiatives include the Colorado Hospitals Substance Exposed Newborns (CHoSEN) and Data-driven Engagement of Families to Improve the NICU Experience in Colorado (DEFINE Colorado) Quality Improvement Collaboratives.

Educational opportunities available to our fellows:

• Combined IHSQE certificate
• Quality Safety Academy offered through University of Colorado Hospital UCH
  
• QI/Safety grant opportunities through the University of Colorado School of Medicine
  
• GME QI/Safety incentive program information
  

Fellow led Mortality and Morbidity and Collaborative case conferences provide opportunities for real-time systems and safety learning

Active projects:

Local (At either the University of Colorado Hospital or Children’s Hospital Colorado NICU)

• Premedication, video laryngoscopy, and bundle use for neonatal intubations
• Improving patient family experience 
• Maintaining the Golden Hour 
• Timely antibiotic administration for presumed sepsis 
• Compliance with AAP hyperbilirubinemia guidelines 
• Safe Sleep 
• Hospital Acquired Conditions
• Reducing Severe ROP
• Unplanned Extubation
• NICU Length of Stay
• CHNC CIQI Collaborative

Regional and National initiatives/Collaborations

• Children’s Hospitals Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) Project HOME 
• CHOSEN 
• DEFINE 
• National Emergency Airway Registry for Neonates (NEAR4NEOs)

For more information on what quality work is occurring at the Anschutz campus, check out the quality and safety webpage at UCH...

Quality and safety education opportunities available for our fellows:

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/patient-care/clinical-affairs/ihqse/programs/ceps-grant-program 

Faculty

• Lauren Beard, MD
• Theresa Grover MD
• Christina Fisher, MD, MSCS
• Sadie Houin, MD
• Sunah Hwang, MD, MPH, PhD
• Rebecca Shay MD, MAS