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OASCN Resources | Quality Improvement in the NICU

These resources were developed by the OASCN Collaborative between 2021-2022.


Relevant Didactics:

  • Using your data and QI Tools for Stewardship (Kurlen Payton): Slides | Video
  • PDSA for Stewardship. A Creative Endeavor (Kurlen Payton): Slides | Video

Relevant Learning Points:

Learning Point #35: Gradually gaining momentum with small scale changes can organically address resistance to change.

Learning Point #36: Distinguishing tasks from tests can optimize your time and resources during PDSA cycles. Education is usually a required task; it typically swon't need to be tested with a PDSA cycle.

Learning Point #37: Linking QI data and QI tools (eg. packaging your story and data in an A3 report) optimizes individual and group problem solving, engagement, and dissemination.

  • One way to “herd the chaos” is to visualize your data in meaningful ways.

Learning Point #38: Meticulous documentation of PDSA cycles can optimize efficient collaboration among team members and stakeholders.

  • Intended output of the PDSA cycle may only be “learning”... not necessarily improvement.
  • RAPID cycles can effectively accelerate your improvement.

Relevant References: 

Swanson JR et al. Roadmap to a successful quality improvement project. J Perinatol 2017;37:112.

Gupta M et al. The relationship between patient safety and quality improvement in neonatology. Sem Perinatol 2019 Dec;43(8):151173.