Jan Gill
the University of Saskatchewan, Canada
Title: Increasing Neonatal Transport Rates: On the Road to Quality Improvement Investigator: Jan Gill Doctor of Nursing Practice APRN NNP-BC
Biography
Biography: Jan Gill
Abstract
Objective:
The goal was to increase neonatal transport acceptance rates from internal and referring hospitals and prevent deferring transports to non-affiliated transport teams.
Design:
Retrospective transport data was reviewed from 2016-2017. Metrics included transports requested, performed, and deferred. Prospective data from 2017-2018 was then analyzed using the same metrics to determine post-intervention outcomes.
Setting:
This setting was a mid-western hospital with a 24 bed level three neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with a unit-staffed neonatal ground transport team. Team configuration included a respiratory therapist, a NICU transport registered nurse, a neonatal nurse practitioner as warranted, and a unit-based neonatologist for medical control.
Sample:
The sample included the 38 medically indicated transport requests performed and deferred over a two year span.
Methods:
Quality improvement measures were implemented using the plan, do, study, act model.
Implementation Strategies:
Stakeholders were involved in implementing measures to improve transport request acceptance rates. Interventions included securing neonatology NICU coverage during transports, ensuring committed ambulance service, and increasing the number of transport registered nurses.
Results:
Transport acceptance rates increased by 7.3% with deferral rates reduced by 33%.
Conclusion:
Quality improvement measures were successful to increase transport acceptance rates and decrease transport deferral rates. Ongoing monitoring is key to ensure sustainability.