Interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in established bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Area of Science:

• Neonatology
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Chronic Disease Management

Background:

• Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most frequent complication in extremely preterm infants.
• Increasing survival rates of extremely preterm infants have led to a rise in BPD cases requiring specialized care.
• Neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are seeing a growing number of infants with established BPD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the collaborative and innovative features of interdisciplinary BPD clinical care programs.
• To highlight the adaptation of chronic care models within NICUs for BPD management.
• To provide an overview of specialized programs designed for infants with established BPD.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on interdisciplinary BPD programs.
• Analysis of the principles of chronic care models applied in NICU settings.
• Synthesis of information on the structure and practices of specialized BPD programs.

Main Results:

• Interdisciplinary BPD programs are established in level-IV NICUs across the United States.
• These programs utilize principles from chronic care models, differing from traditional acute care.
• Key features include collaborative approaches and innovative practices tailored to BPD patient needs.

Conclusions:

• Interdisciplinary programs represent a structured approach to managing complex BPD cases.
• The adoption of chronic care principles is crucial for optimizing care for infants with BPD.
• These specialized programs are essential for addressing the growing needs of infants with established BPD in NICUs.