Improvement in rates of optimal cord management without an increase in admission hypothermia-results of two quality improvement projects

Abstract

BackgroundImproving the rates of Optimal cord management (OCM), and maintaining admission normothermia remains a challenge. ObjectiveTo improve OCM rates and admission normothermia in a tertiary perinatal centre in the UK. MethodsTwo Quality Improvement (QI) projects were launched in 2021 to increase OCM rates to 70% and admission normothermia rates to 80% by December 2023. Our QI project involved multidisciplinary team engagement, development of guidelines, and education. ResultsFollowing the QI interventions, our rates of OCM improved from 15% to 62% and admission normothermia from 50% to 87%. The most common reason for not performing OCM was the perceived need for resuscitation (72%). There are no increased odds of preterm infants receiving OCM and admission hypothermia (OR 0.23), and admission temperature above 37.5 C (OR 0.47). ConclusionsThrough our QI initiatives we have significantly improved rates of OCM and admission normothermia rates in preterm infants.