A Gastroschisis bundle: effects of a quality improvement protocol on morbidity and mortality

Gastroschisis incidence is rising. Survival in developed countries is over 95%. However, in underdeveloped countries, mortality is higher than 15% often due to sepsis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on morbidity and mortality of a Quality Improvement Protocol for out-born gastroschisis patients.

The protocol consisted in facilitating transport, primary or staged reduction at the bedside and sutureless closure, without anesthesia, PICC lines and early feeding. Data was prospectively collected for the Protocol Group (PG) treated between June 2014 through March 2016 and compared to the last consecutive patients Historical Group (HG). Primary outcome was mortality.

need for and duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), time to first feed (TFF) after closure, parenteral nutrition (TPN), length of stay (LOS) and sepsis. Data were analyzed using χ2 and Mann-Whitney U tests.

92 patients were included (46 HG and 46 PG). Demographic data were homogeneous. Mortality decreased from 22% to 2% (p = 0.007). Mechanical ventilation use decreased from 100% to 57% (p = <0.001), ventilator days from 14 to 3 median days (p = <0.0001), TPN days: 27 to 21 median days (p = 0.026), sepsis decreased from 70% to 37% (p = 0.003) and anesthesia from a 100% to 15% (p = <0.001), respectively. No difference was found in NPO or LOS.

A major improvement in the morbidity and mortality rates was achieved, with outcomes comparable to those reported in developed countries. It was suitable for all patients with gastroschisis. We believe this protocol can be implemented in other centers to reduce morbidity and mortality.

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