[Quality improvement in neonatology: where do we stand?]

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Neonatal Care
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Quality Improvement (QI) originated in industry in the 1920s and was later adopted in healthcare.
• Collaborative neonatal QI methodology developed in the late 1980s with the Vermont Oxford Network (VON).
• Initial QI projects were concentrated in high-income countries, but recent focus includes low- and middle-income regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update evidence on the implementation of QI methodology in neonatology.
• To highlight successful results of QI in neonatal care.
• To describe the foundations and methodology of QI in neonatology.

Main Methods:

• Review of available evidence on QI implementation in neonatology.
• Description of the core principles and collaborative approach of QI.
• Focus on continuous evaluation of results and evidence-based interventions.

Main Results:

• QI methodology has demonstrated successful development and growing interest in the neonatal area.
• QI projects show very high potential to improve neonatal outcomes, especially in preterm infants.
• Successful implementation in low- and middle-income regions is increasingly documented.

Conclusions:

• QI is a powerful tool for improving neonatal care outcomes.
• A concerted team effort utilizing evidence-based interventions is key to successful QI.
• QI methodology holds significant promise for advancing neonatal health globally, including in resource-limited settings.