Quality improvement project: implementing guidelines supporting noninvasive respiratory management for premature infants.

PURPOSE: Based on research evidence, the purpose was to implement noninvasive approaches in the initial respiratory stabilization of preterm infants.

DESIGN

Quality improvement project.

SAMPLE: One hundred fourteen infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care nursery (NICN) from January 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012 served as a historical control group. Ninety-four infants admitted from January 1, 2013 to May 31, 2013 served as the intervention group.

RESULTS

After implementation of the quality improvement initiative, there was a statistically significant increase in the rate of using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP ) by 65.3 percent for initial respiratory stabilization of preterm infants.