Using a health promotion model to promote benchmarking

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Healthcare quality improvement
• Evidence-based practice

Background:

• The North East (England) Neonatal Benchmarking Group has operated for nearly a decade, developing numerous evidence-based benchmarks.
• A lack of evidence regarding benchmark utilization and neonatal care standardization across the region prompted a review.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing neonatal care benchmarks.
• To identify needs for evidence-based guidelines supporting regional neonatal care standardization.

Main Methods:

• A health promotion planning model was employed by a subgroup to structure the review program.
• The model facilitated engagement and provided documentation for implementing practice changes.

Main Results:

• The review identified the need for enhanced evidence-based guidelines.
• A structured approach using a health promotion model supported engagement and implementation planning.

Conclusions:

• The review highlighted the necessity of developing regional guidelines to complement benchmarking activities.
• Standardization of neonatal care requires ongoing review and the implementation of evidence-based guidelines.