1. The Ins and Outs of Neonatal Care: Improving Critical Transitions for Every Newborn
Internet-based Quality Improvement Collaborative

2. About Vermont Oxford Network
Vermont Oxford Network (VON) is the world leader in data-driven, evidence-based quality improvement in neonatal care.
30,000+ health care professionals at hospitals
600+ centers participating in QI collaboratives over 25 years
1400+ health care professionals convene at the VON Annual Quality Congress
Established record of improving quality, safety, and value of care through QI collaboratives, documented in hundreds of presented abstracts and peer-reviewed articles

3. Transitions Affect All Levels of Care
Hospitals/Health Centers: Individual centers aiming to improve local transitions of care
Referral Centers (Level III, IV): Working with referral base to improve both local and regional processes and build capacity for regional QI initiatives
Health Systems: Improving intra- or inter-hospital transitions within a health system and region
State Perinatal QI Organizations: Developing reliable systems for newborn care among and between hospitals using a population health perspective
Level Level Level Level Systems &
Networks

4. QI Collaborative for Critical Transitions
Critical transitions represent a vulnerable period for infants and families; if not standardized and coordinated the potential for inefficient/ineffective care and excess length of stay exists.
Transitions are ripe for improvement
Every infant experiences critical transitions; improvement will affect every newborn and family
The most vulnerable infants experience the most transitions
VON data shows a frequency of inter-hospital transfers and increased length of stay
Family satisfaction is low for short-stay NICU patients
Patients with readmissions account for a significant proportion of admissions and inpatient charges
Transitions are recognized as areas of improvement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Quality Forum, and The Joint Commission

5. Admission/Discharge and Handoffs
Teams will focus on critical transitions of either:
“Ins” (inborn admission/stabilization
or transport)
Maternal/Fetal Transport
Antepartum Care
Birth/Golden Hour OR
“Outs” (transition home
and follow-up/follow-through)
Discharge Home
Retrotransfer
Medical Home
Medical, Psychologic, Social, Developmental
All teams will also improve handoffs
Change of shift
Change of care team/department
Teams can further refine their focus by improving care of certain patient populations
Infants requiring complex care at home
Families affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome
Late preterm infants
Micro-premature infants
Etc.

6. Local Need for Improvement
Insert your own data from VON and/or results from the discernment exercise.

7. Expected Outcomes
Improved clinical outcomes (BPD, ROP, IVH, NEC, extrauterine growth restriction)
Reduced length of stay (saving 1 day for 1 patient equals the cost of participation)
Reduced readmissions
Reduced risk and errors
Better patient and family engagement and satisfaction
Better staff satisfaction and retention
Improved reputation, ratings, and rankings (ie Press Ganey, Magnet Certification, US News & World Report)

8. Core Curriculum Data audits and gap analysis
Toolkit focused on critical transitions and proven QI methodology
Interactive webinars open to all hospital staff, and online access to recorded webinars
Discussion board/listserv with other teams and expert faculty
CME/CNE/CPE for entire team
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part 4 for entire physician team submitting an abstract*
Opportunity to share poster or podium presentation at VON’s 2019 Annual Quality Congress, and coaching to develop the abstract
*abstract must meet American Board of Pediatrics criteria

9. Intensive Curriculum All benefits of the Core Curriculum
Pre-paid attendance to Annual Quality Congress for 8 team members (more than $4800 value)
VON/IHI Foundations in Improvement Science online course
3 additional webinars for experience-based co-design in partnership with families with curriculum provided in cooperation with the Point of Care Foundation.

10. Two Levels of Participation
Core Curriculum
$3900 (VON Member)
$6900 (Non-Member)
Intensive Curriculum
$6900 (VON Member)
$9400 (Non-Member)
Group Enrollment
A 20% discount is granted to Level III NICUs enrolling as a member of a statewide group, regional quality improvement collaborative, or a health system-wide enrollment. Recruit Level I and Level II hospitals to engage in your efforts with a nominal registration fee of $500 per center.

11. Learn More and Register
Pam Ford, iNICQ Coordinator
ext. 204