OBJECTIVE: Inhaled NO (iNO) is used in the NICU for management of hypoxemic respiratory failure. The cost of iNO is significant and does not consistently improve outcomes in infants <34 weeks. PROJECT DESIGN: Our team used The Model for Improvement to design a quality improvement project to utilize iNO for appropriate indications, ensure response to therapy and initiate timely weaning. The project was carried out at a Level IV NICU and successful interventions spread to a smaller Level III NICU. RESULTS: This project demonstrated significant improvement in all measures; total iNO hours per month, average iNO hours per patient, and the percentage of prolonged iNO courses. With an estimated cost of $115/h, the cost per patient for iNO use declined by half from $21,620 to $10,580. CONCLUSIONS: Our team improved the value of iNO utilization at our institution and spread successful interventions to another NICU in our network.
OBJECTIVE: Inhaled NO (iNO) is used in the NICU for management of hypoxemic respiratory failure. The cost of iNO is significant and does not consistently improve outcomes in infants <34 weeks. PROJECT DESIGN: Our team used The Model for Improvement to design a quality improvement project to utilize iNO for appropriate indications, ensure response to therapy and initiate timely weaning. The project was carried out at a Level IV NICU and successful interventions spread to a smaller Level III NICU. RESULTS: This project demonstrated significant improvement in all measures; total iNO hours per month, average iNO hours per patient, and the percentage of prolonged iNO courses. With an estimated cost of $115/h, the cost per patient for iNO use declined by half from $21,620 to $10,580. CONCLUSIONS: Our team improved the value of iNO utilization at our institution and spread successful interventions to another NICU in our network.
Authors: F Sessions Cole; Claudia Alleyne; John D E Barks; Robert J Boyle; John L Carroll; Deborah Dokken; William H Edwards; Michael Georgieff; Katherine Gregory; Michael V Johnston; Michael Kramer; Christine Mitchell; Josef Neu; DeWayne M Pursley; Walter Robinson; David H Rowitch Journal: NIH Consens State Sci Statements Date: 2010-10-29