[Aims and methodology of the Polish National programme for Standardisation of Clinical Practices in Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care. Edition 2007/2008].

In this paper we outline the aims and methods of the Polish National Programme for Standardisation of Clinical Practice in Neonatology and Paediatric Intensive Care, with special reference to infants with low and extremely low birth weight. The aim of this Programme is to adjust the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures to the latest guide lines and recommendations. The first stage consisted of a national level survey in order to identify the diversity of procedures implemented in Medical University Clinical Departments, Neonatology Units and Paediatric Intensive Care Units. The survey also served to confront the legitimacy of the used procedures with the current clinical knowledge and research. It is planned to repeat the survey 24 months after the implementation of the latest recommendations with the aim to assess the impact of the Programme on clinical practice. Partial stages of the Programme were started since 2006. The survey is coordinated by an independent statistics unit. The recommendations are developed on published standards.