Advancements in neonatology through quality improvement

Abstract

In the past 3 decades, quality improvement methodology has often been employed in medicine to improve patient outcomes. Neonatal medicine has seen an increase in publications using improvement science to ensure the application of potentially better practices to decrease complications and increase survival without major disability. This article reviews quality improvement studies that have impacted neonatal mortality and morbidity, as well as specific disease processes including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and retinopathy of prematurity. Using improvement science, studies have substantially reduced neonatal mortality and the major complications of preterm birth.