Developing a Small Baby Program for the Extremely Low Birth Weight: The Wee CARE Team.

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Critical Care
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The Children's Hospital at Providence (TCHaP) in Anchorage admits up to 60 extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonates annually.
• ELBW neonates (22-29 weeks gestational age) disproportionately contribute to mortality and serious morbidities.
• In Alaska, only 38% of neonates born <28 weeks survived without major morbidities in 2014, with survival dropping to 25% for those born <26 weeks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the high rates of death and serious morbidities in ELBW neonates.
• To establish standardized best practices for managing ELBW infant care within TCHaP.
• To improve morbidity-free survival rates for ELBW neonates.

Main Methods:

• Initiated discussions among Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nursing leaders, clinical nurses, and physicians.
• Formed a multidisciplinary specialist group, the Wee CARE team, to develop best practices.
• Focused on identifying current co-morbidities and potential best practices for ELBW care.

Main Results:

• A collaborative effort was undertaken by NICU staff and physicians.
• The Wee CARE team was established to create evidence-based guidelines.
• The initiative focused on improving care for a vulnerable ELBW population.

Conclusions:

• Developing specialized teams and best practices is crucial for improving outcomes in ELBW neonates.
• Standardized care protocols can enhance survival and reduce morbidities in high-risk infants.
• The Wee CARE team represents a commitment to advancing neonatal critical care at TCHaP.