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[Preterm infant follow-up program in Lombardy Region-- Italy]
1SU.O. di Terapia Intensiva Neonatale, Spedali Civili, Brescia.
Insights
Effective preterm infant follow-up programs are crucial post-discharge. This study found significant variations in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) follow-up plans, but these differences are not detrimental to preterm infant management, suggesting standardization is possible.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Follow-up Care
Background:
- Post-discharge management of preterm infants necessitates structured follow-up programs.
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) follow-up protocols can vary based on resources and patient load.
- Existing follow-up programs may differ in duration and visit frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate variations in follow-up programs across Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in the Lombardy Region, Italy.
- To identify potential commonalities and a unified approach for preterm infant follow-up.
- To assess the impact of program differences on preterm infant management.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted using a 23-question multiple-choice questionnaire.
- The questionnaire was distributed to referents managing outpatient care in NICUs within the Lombardy Region.
- Data from 13 out of 17 interviewed NICUs were analyzed.
Main Results:
- All surveyed NICUs implement follow-up programs encompassing ophthalmological, neurological, cardiac, and audiometric evaluations.
- Follow-up program lengths range from 1 to 7 years, with a mean of 130 annual and 7.4 daily patient visits.
- Clinical reports are provided to families at discharge, but only 54% are mailed to Primary Care Physicians.
Conclusions:
- Despite variations in length and frequency, current follow-up program differences do not significantly impact preterm infant management.
- There is a feasible opportunity to standardize follow-up plans across NICUs.
- Improving communication and interaction between NICUs and Primary Care Physicians is recommended.
Abstract:
The correct management of preterm babies requires, after discharge, an adequate follow-up program. The plan could be adjusted in relation to economical rises, rooms and staff amount of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), varying its length and number of visits for patient for year. A survey was performed in Lombardy Region, Italy, to evaluate the differences among the various follow-up programs and to find a possible common approach suitable by all NICUs. A 23 questions formulated questionnaire, with multiple choice answers, has been sent to the referents of outpatients management of any NICU of the Region. The answers obtained from 13 of the 17 Units interviewed have been evaluated. All NICUs have a follow-up program, including ophthalmological, neurological, cardiac and audiometric evaluations. The plan length vary by 1 to 7 years; annually a mean of 130, and daily a mean of 7.4 patients are visited. At discharge all NICUs provide a clinical report to the family, but it is mailed to the Primary Care Physician just in 54% of cases. The differences founded among the follow-up programs resulted not significant for the preterm management, therefore it is possible to uniform the different plans, improving communication and interaction between NICUs and Primary Care Physicians.
