Comprehensive Oxygen Management for the Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity: the pediatrix experience

Abstract

Comprehensive oxygen management, focused on avoiding hyperoxia and repeated episodes of hypoxia-hyperoxia in very low birth weight infants, has been successfully used for the reduction of retinopathy of prematurity. Building on this experience, the Comprehensive Oxygen Management for the Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity quality improvement initiative was developed to facilitate the spread and refinement of these techniques. The initiative focused on staff education and evaluation and redesign of the processes and practices involving oxygen use. Monitoring of the effectiveness of the system changes was supported through audits of clinical practice changes, use of oxygen saturation trending data, and the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity.