Reduction of Infection in Neonatal Intensive Care Units Using the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality

Reduction of Infection in Neonatal Intensive Care Units Using the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality: A Cluster Randomised Trial

This 4-year cluster randomized controlled trial aims to determine whether implementation of Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) method can reduce hospital-acquired infection in Chinese Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).

Following randomization into two groups, the intervention NICUs (n = 12) will receive training in the EPIQ method and then develop, implement, and document evidence-based practice changes to reduce hospital-acquired infection. Compliance with practice changes and neonatal outcomes will be monitored. NICUs will receive quarterly feedback on their progress, as well as access to implementation support. Control NICUs (n = 12) will collect neonatal data and continue to provide standard care. Study subjects will be all preterm infants born at <34 weeks' gestation and admitted to participating NICUs during the trial (estimated n = 5,200 per year). Data analysis will be conducted to compare neonatal outcomes and health-care resources used between the intervention and control groups.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Infants born at <34 weeks' gestation
• Admitted to the participating NICUs within 7 days after birth
• Admitted to the participating NICUs between May 1, 2015 and April 30, 2018

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infants with major congenital anomalies
• Infants who are moribund on admission (a decision is made to provide only palliative care)