ABSTRACT
Background: It has been possible to set up special newborn care units (SNCUs) and to improve the survival of newborns in India. However, several challenges remain affecting their effective functioning. Different approaches have been attempted and several policies have also been implemented to address this issue. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of implementing best practices in neonatal care by onsite mentoring in an SNCU over 4 months. Methods: The mentoring team was from a tertiary care hospital in Karnataka. The SNCU was functioning at the district hospital, catering to approximately 3500 live births per year. Onsite mentoring was carried out from August 2016 to November 2016. This was a prospective implementation research. Framework focused on infection control, preterm care, care at birth, advocacy for infrastructure and resources, and facility-based refresher training. Results: A total of 16 visits were done by the mentoring team and 2 weeks of in-house residency. There were improvements in hand hygiene compliance from 0% to 87.5%, in cleaner IV site (from 50% to 100%), decreased unnecessary oxygen administration (from 75% to 33.3%), decreased antibiotic usage (from 70.5% to 35.5%), decrease in the number of babies receiving >5 days of antibiotics (from 41.6% to 0%), and increased kangaroo mother care initiation rate from 0% to 41.6%. The facility got level IIA accreditation by the end of the intervention period. Conclusions: Onsite mentorship program of SNCU is feasible and planning should be contextual. With the problems being uniform across most facilities, the model could be replicated across the country.
ABSTRACT
Background: India contributes to 25% of neonatal mortality around the world. In developing countries neonatal mortality is quite high despite of advances in perinatal and neonatal care. The establishment of Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU) has been quite essential in reducing the neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the outcome of SNCU at a newly commissioned tertiary care teaching hospital at Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh. Aim of this study the morbidity and mortality patterns in an SNCU at tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: It was a Retrospective, Hospital based, Descriptive study which was done among neonates admitted to SNCU, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh for a period of 1 year (January 2015-December 2015). All the neonates admitted to SNCU, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh during the study period were included in the study. Data was recorded in a predesigned semi-structured proforma. the data was entered into excel-sheet and analyzed using SPSS software version 21.Results: A total of 1015 babies were included in the study. Almost half 592(58.32%) were born in this hospital(inborn) and 423(41.67%) babies were referred from peripheral hospitals and nursing homes (out born). about 3/4th 767(75.5%) of babies were admitted in the first 24 hours of life. Almost half (53.4%) of the study group were male and 46.6% were female. The chief causes of admission in SNCU were Respiratory Distress Syndrome (40.2%) followed by birth asphyxia (19.1%), sepsis (13.3%), Neonatal Jaundice (9.9%) and prematurity (6.6%). In our study 63.0% patients were discharged, 19.3% had left hospital against medical advice, 10.1% died and 7.6% were referred to other institutions for specialized treatment.Conclusion: Respiratory Distress Syndrome, neonatal sepsis, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and HIE as the major causes of morbidity. Low Birth Weight and prematurity were the commonest contributors of death, therefore, attempts to prolong the pregnancy each week might improve the neonatal outcome considerably.
ABSTRACT
Background: Objectives of present study was to assess receiving system of newborns, bed occupancies of referring facilities and receiving facility and assessment of rationality of referrals made by referring facilities to receiving facility leading to congestion at receiving facility. The study was conducted in Department of Pediatrics, Special Newborn Care Unit, Kamla Raja Hospital, Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.Methods: This study was a prospective observational study which was conducted for a period of one year. Referred newborns fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled in study, and their receiving characteristics, bed occupancies of referring facilities and receiving facility, number of rationale and irrational referrals at receiving facility were statistically analysed.Results: Total referred newborns enrolled in the study was 2000. As receiving SNCU, of institute caters not only its nearby places, but also to distant districts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. SNCU wise receiving was in order of SNCU Morar (20.60%), Morena (19.40%), Bhind (5.70%), Dholpur (5.35%), Shivpuri (4.40%), Chattarpur (3.10%), Datia (1.20%), Sheopur (0.40%) and Jhansi (0.30%). Referring SNCU wise bed occupancy was in order of SNCU Guna (189.16%), Shivpuri (154%), Morena (72.33%), Bhind (71.63%), Sheopur (69.32%), Morar (64.15%) and Datia (62.11%). Referring SNCU wise case fatality was in order of SNCU Jhansi (100%), Sheopur (100%), Chattarpur (56.45%), Bhind (38.59%), Shivpuri (35.22%), Morena (33.76%), Dholpur (27.10%), Datia (25%), Morar (22.08%).Conclusions: Discordant bed occupancy at referring SNCU and receiving SNCU and low rationality of referrals are reason for congestion at receiving SNCU. Optimum utilization of beds and cordant bed occupancy between referring and receiving SNCU may improve the working conditions in SNCU and newborn outcome. Referral system should be close loop systemwith the provision of Down Referral.