Standardized protocols improve quality of care for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Over the last 10 years, the incidence of NAS has increased 5-fold, concomitantly rising with an increased use of opiates during pregnancy. Caring for patients with NAS differs from hospital to hospital, and with that difference in care comes a difference in outcomes. This quality improvement study aimed to implement standards of care for NAS at 199 different U.S. hospitals in hopes of improved quality care and better outcomes. Results demonstrated significantly reduced LOT, LOS, and number of infants discharged on medications over the 2-year study period.
Standardizing care improves outcomes for infants born with neonatal abstinence syndrome
Standardizing hospital care policies across institutions for infants diagnosed with drug withdrawal symptoms at birth reduces their length of treatment and hospitalization, according to new research led by Vermont Oxford Network, Vanderbilt and the University of Michigan Health System.
Read more here: http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2016/04/standardizing-care-improves-outcomes-for/