Improving Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Outcomes and Nurse Experiences: Integrating Responsive Bassinets With Eat,...

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our practice of outpatient methadone weaning for pharmacologic management of infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), resulting in increased average length of stay (ALOS). In response, we integrated a responsive Bassinet (SNOO), into our Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) care model.

Our primary aim through this quality improvement work was to explore whether integration of SNOO within our ESC care model had an impact.

Using quality improvement methodologies, a retrospective chart review was conducted for neonates admitted to the NICU for NAS from December 2020 to September 2022 ( N = 109). Study inclusion criteria were primary diagnosis of NAS, birth gestational age ≥35 weeks, and absence of other co-morbid diagnoses. Neonates were organized into two groups based on date of bassinet implementation. An online survey was sent to 76 NICU nurses 6 months post-implementation. Outcome measures included ALOS, number of sleep-related "yes" scores (indicating poor sleep), and nurse experience.

Of 109 infants, 13 met inclusion criteria ALOS declined by 17.38% ( P= .57), and "yes" scores decreased by 41.72% ( P =.52). Nurses reported an average of 2.43 hours saved per 12-hour shift.

The addition of SNOO as a non-pharmacologic intervention within ESC care models for infants with NAS may lead to a decreased average length of stay, improved infant sleep, and improved nursing experience (such as time savings).