Improved Use of Human Milk, Growth, and Central Line Utilization With Standard Feeding Roadmap in an Academic NICU

Before the initiation of a standardized feeding roadmap in our regional, level IV academic neonatal intensive care unit, utilization of central lines was high, and initiation of enteral feeds delayed in the very low-birth-weight population (<1500 g). Given our review of the literature, it appeared that the standardization of feeding advancement would likely result in improved performance in both issues.

This was a retrospective cohort comparison of very low-birth-weight patients before initiation of any feeding roadmap with a second cohort following completion of the final roadmap. Infants were examined retrospectively in 2 historical cohorts: Phase 1, infants fed before roadmap development and rollout, October 1, 2012-March 31, 2013; and Phase 2, following promulgation of the final feeding roadmap, January 1, 2017-June 30, 2017.

During Phase 2, we observed a significant reduction in median (interquartile range) days to first feed (3 [1] vs 1 [1] [P < 0.0001]) and utilization of a second central line (35% vs 12% [P < 0.01]). Weight gain was significantly improved from before roadmap implementation to final, mean (SD) (g/d, 21 [5] vs 24 [4]; [P < .0001]). Percentage of first enteral feedings that were human milk also increased significantly from 71% to 91% (P = 0.0007).

Implementation of a standardized feeding roadmap was associated with a reduction in days to first enteral feeds, an increase in the primary use of human milk for initiation of enteral feeds, and a decrease in the utilization of central lines while improving weight gain in very low-birth-weight infants.