clOUDi 3.0 updates newsletter

June 7, 2023

In the literature...

Can umbilical cord testing add to maternal urine drug screen for evaluation of infants at risk of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome? - This study evaluated maternal urine drug screen (UDS) at delivery and umbilical cord drug testing and its association with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) diagnosis and severity following opioid exposed pregnancy. Conclusion: Maternal UDS is a better option compared to umbilical cord testing for evaluation of opioid-exposed infants and risk of NOWS diagnosis and increased infant LOS.

Assessing the Eat, Sleep, Console model for neonatal abstinence syndrome management at a regional referral center - We assessed the efficacy of the Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) model for neonatal abstinence syndrome at a regional referral center by examining non-pharmacological treatments, parental presence, length of stay (LOS), and pharmacological therapy. 

RESULT: A total of 71 neonates pre-ESC and 64 neonates post-ESC implementation were included. There were no statistical differences between pre-ESC vs. ESC periods for pharmacological therapy (34% vs. 27%, p = 0.36) or LOS (median: 5.0 vs. 5.5 days, p = 0.54). During the ESC period, 41% of examined 4-h periods had no parent/caregiver presence. Decreased parental presence associated with pharmacological treatment (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: At our hospital which serves a geographically dispersed patient population, ESC model implementation did not decrease pharmacological therapy rates or LOS. Parental/caregiver presence may be a factor in the ESC model producing maximal benefits.

From the NeoLung Planning Committee

We are pleased to invite you to NeoLung - a virtual neonatal respiratory conference taking place on June 22, 23 2023 at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Previously known as 'BALI conference', we are continuing the tradition of covering clinically relevant and innovative respiratory topics with speakers from around the world! Please see the attached flyer for conference agenda and registration details, highlighting free registration for students and trainees. Here’s the conference website: https://www.neolung.org/

We look forward to seeing you in June! Help us spread the word and share this exciting offering with anyone interested in neonatal respiratory care. 

The more you know...

As you may be aware, in the FY 2022 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule released in August 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the inclusion of the new Maternal Morbidity Structural Measure in the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program in the hopes of addressing the continuing maternal health crisis and bolster quality of care during and after labor and delivery.

This new measure will:

• Determine the number of hospitals currently participating in a structured State or national Perinatal QI Collaborative (PQC)
• Determine whether hospitals are implementing the safety practices or bundles included as part of these QI initiatives

CMS will initiate a shortened initial reporting period for data collection through December 31, 2021, with full year reporting periods occurring thereafter. This initial reporting period will affect payment determination for 2023.

For those teams meeting the requirements outlined in the participation agreement, we will be pleased to provide a letter certifying your participation.