Improving the Breastfeeding Practices in Healthy Neonates During Hospital Stay Using Quality Improvement Methodology

ABSTRACT

Objective: To demonstrate the applications of the principles ofQuality Improvement (QI) in a tertiary-care centre with the aim toimprove the breastfeeding practices during hospital stay.Methods: An operational team was formulated to identify thereasons for low proportion of exclusive breast feeding (EBF) inhealthy neonates. Reason specific solutions were proposed,discussed, prioritized and tested using Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle(PDSA Cycle). Strategies included clear departmental policy planand creation of Breastfeeding support package (BFSP). PDSAcycles were tested and implemented over 6 weeks period and itssustainability was measured monthly for five months duration.Results: After implementation of PDSA cycles, the proportion ofneonates receiving early breastfeeding within one hour of birthincreased from 55% to 95%, and the proportion of neonates onEBF during hospital stay increased from 72% to 98%.Conclusion: Quality Improvement principles are feasible andeffective to improve breastfeeding practices in the hospitalsetting.