Cris G. Ebby, MD, MS; Ann H. Allen, MD; Kristin A. Shadman, MD; Nancy Patrick, DNP; Michelle Brenson, RN; Laura P. Chen, MD
WMJ. 2024;123(6):601-605.
ABSTRACT
Background: In August 2022, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its newborn hyperbilirubinemia guideline. This quality improvement initiative aimed to reduce newborns receiving inpatient phototherapy and subthreshold phototherapy initiation by 50% in 12 months.
Methods: A multidisciplinary team implemented interventions at an urban community hospital in Wisconsin. Retrospective chart review from February 2022 through November 2023 identified newborns receiving phototherapy during birth hospitalization and readmission (primary outcome), subthreshold phototherapy initiation (process measure), and length of stay with meeting escalation of care criteria (balancing measures).
Results: We identified 167 newborns. Median birth hospitalization phototherapy decreased from 10 to 2 newborns per month; there was no change in readmissions. Length of stay and meeting escalation of care criteria were unchanged.
Discussion/Conclusions: This study shows a decrease in inpatient phototherapy use during birth hospitalizations.