Toward Achieving 100% Adherence for Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening Guidelines

To report on the use of a cloud-based electronic medical record (ROP Check; Glacier Medical Software, Anchorage, AK) designed to provide American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guideline-adherent retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) care through the scheduling and documenting of ROP examinations.

Data analysis on 3,155 patients from a de-identified dataset from 13 neonatal intensive care units.

All newborns with a gestational age of 22 to 30 weeks (N = 2,278) were entered with a documented ROP examination. Of those, 98% and 97.4% completed their initial and follow-up examinations, respectively, within AAP guidelines. All but 1 of 145 initial treatments were completed within AAP guidelines after a decision for treatment was made. Of 369 newborns older than 30 weeks' gestational age and with a birth weight of less than 1,500 grams, none progressed to treatment; four patients had stage 2 or 3 ROP. Of 508 newborns with a gestational age of 31 to 32 weeks and a birth weight of more than 1,500 grams who were entered to identify unstable newborns, 34% did not need examinations; of those who were examined, one progressed to treatment. Fourteen percent of patients were observed as outpatients before retinal maturity and 12% missed some or all outpatient appointments. A decision was made to treat at the first examination for 2 (10%) newborns with a gestational age of 22 weeks and 2 (2%) newborns with a gestational age of 23 weeks. Each patient was within the AAP guidelines for initial treatment.

A computerized system specifically designed with process improvement and error-free delivery of ROP care as a focus can improve adherence to AAP guidelines and achieve superior results. Such a system creates a standardized and measurable safety net for pediatric ophthalmologists, neonatologists, hospitals, and follow-up pediatricians. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2017;54(6):356-362.].