Barzilai University Medical Center

41 Research Day 2020 Barzilai University Medical Center 24 MODERATE PRETERM BABIES LENGTH OF STAY COULD BE SIGNIFICANTLY SHORTENED – A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT Segal Ilan, Shaferman Hana, Zangen Shmuel The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel. Faculty of Health Studies, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel Background Babies that are born prematurely are expected to undergo a long stay at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) owing to their immature systems and different complication. A preterm baby could be discharged home when he is behaving like a well and mature baby, when parents are able to take care for him, and when the caring staff completed all routine examinations. Observations in the NICU suggested that preterm discharge is sometimes delayed though babies are well and ready to go home. Hypothesis By undertaking a quality improvement multidisciplinary initiative, the length of stay of moderate preterms could be shortened without increase of readmissions. Methods A NICU team identified few areas for improvement. Proper old routines were reinforced and new ones were introduced by scheduled team meetings. A designated discharge checklist was used. Length of stay (LOS), postmenstrual age (PMA) at discharge and weight were compared between the period before (2013-15) and after (2016-17) the implementation of changes. Results During the study 377 moderate preterms were born. The average LOS was 4.5 days shorter (26.8 vs. 31.5. p=0.01) after the implementation of the QI project. The mean PMA discharge was 3.5 days younger (35.4 weeks vs. 35.9 weeks p<0.01). Discharge weight was 90 grams lighter. No increase in readmissions was observed Conclusions By identifying areas for improvement, reinforcing good routines and introducing new simple ones, a significant shortening of LOS could be achieved. That might lower hospitalization costs and help better use of NICU and hospital resources.