Abstract
BackgroundTobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and inappropriate sleep position/environments contribute to preventable infant deaths. The objective of our quality improvement (QI) program was to increase primary care provider (PCP) screening and counseling for TSE and safe sleep risks at well-child visits (WCVs) and to assess caregiver behavior changes at subsequent visits.MethodsPediatric practices, recruited from the Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics’ database, self-selected to participate in this TSE and safe sleep PCP QI program. At every WCV over a 10-month period, caregivers with children < 1 year old were to be screened and counseled by providers. Caregiver demographics, TSE, and safe sleep practices were assessed. Individual PCP results were paired with subsequent family screening tools at follow up visits to determine changes in TSE and safe sleep practices. Differences in frequencies were determined and paired t-tests were used to compare means.ResultsFourteen practices (60 providers) participated; 7289 screens were completed: 3972 (54.5%) initial screens and 1769 (24.3%) subsequent WCV screens. Caregivers on the initial screen were primarily white (61.7%), mothers (86.0%) with public insurance (41.7%). Within the first month after QI program initiation, PCPs TSE screening was during 80% of WCVs, which increased to > 90% by end of the QI program. A total of 637 /3953 (16.1%) screened positive for home TSE on the initial visit: 320/3953 (8.1%) exposed by at least the primary caregivers, and 317/3953 (8.0%) exposed by a home adult smoker (not the identified caregiver). Of caregivers receiving smoking counseling with subsequent follow-up WCV (n = 100), the mean number of cigarettes smoked daily decreased significantly from 10.6 to 4.6 (p = 0.03). Thirty-four percent of caregivers (34/100) reported they quit smoking at their second visit. A total of 1072 (27%) infants screened at risk for inappropriate sleep position or environment at their initial visit. Of these at-risk infants whose caregivers received safe sleep counseling, 49.1% practiced safer sleep behaviors at follow-up.ConclusionsPCPs participating in a QI program increased screening at WCVs for infant mortality risks. After counseling and providing resources about TSE and safe sleep, many caregivers reported practicing safer behaviors at their next WCV.
Highlights
Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and inappropriate sleep position/environments contribute to preventable infant deaths
To improve primary care provider (PCP) screening and counseling regarding infant TSE and safe sleep, we developed a quality improvement (QI) program to be used at infant well-child visits (WCV)
Two practices left the collaborative after completing baseline intake, leaving 14 practices with 60 pediatric providers to participate in the action period of the QI program
Summary
Tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and inappropriate sleep position/environments contribute to preventable infant deaths. The objective of our quality improvement (QI) program was to increase primary care provider (PCP) screening and counseling for TSE and safe sleep risks at well-child visits (WCVs) and to assess caregiver behavior changes at subsequent visits. Prenatal care, including taking necessary medications (e.g. prenatal vitamins and folic acid) and avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, could reduce these common causes, focusing on modifiable parental behaviors after birth, like tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) and sleep-related deaths, can reduce IMR. Second hand and third hand TSE from parents and caregivers has been consistently linked to an increased risk of many conditions causing higher IMRs, such as bronchiolitis, lower respiratory illnesses and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDS), the third leading cause of infant mortality in the U.S, can be prevented by following recommended infant sleep guidelines (American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome 2011)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
