The 21st Century Cures Act: Perspectives of Clinicians in a Level-IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to describe the implications, anticipated and perceived, by providers in a level-IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with immediate patient access to inpatient notes and test results in the wake of the 21st Century Cures Act (CCA). STUDY DESIGN: Using a mixed-method approach in February 2021, a preimplementation survey of neonatologists, neonatal fellows, nurse practitioners, and neonatal nurses reported their perspectives on the new 21st CCA and how they anticipated that it would change their practices, and the experience of families in the NICU. In the follow-up to implementation, a postsurvey was completed by staff reporting their experiences in July 2021. Thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: In the preimplementation survey, staff reported the greatest perceived benefits of the changes to be an increase in families' ability to be part of the care team and prepare questions, and faster discussion of results by the care team. Also, staff's highest concerns were that family members may incorrectly interpret results delivered electronically without the context provided by the care team and be overwhelmed by the amount of information available. In the postimplementation survey, staff reported that the Act had less impact on their practice than they had anticipated preimplementation. CONCLUSION: To maximize benefits and limit burdens to families and staff, care teams should consider a thoughtful approach to information sharing with family members in compliance with the 21st CCA. KEY POINTS: · The impact of the 21 CCA on the NICU has not been studied.. · NICU staff have significant concerns related to the release of results to families.. · This study highlights the need to set expectations and provide family-centered care..

Prenatal duct closure leading to severe pulmonary hypertension in a preterm neonate-a case report.

Prenatal closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) can lead to cardiovascular dysfunction resulting in pulmonary hypertension (PH), progressive right heart failure, fetal hydrops, and fetal or neonatal demise. Supportive therapies-including mechanical ventilation, oxygen, and nitric oxide (NO)-have been employed with variable success among infants born full term, but there is no widely accepted management of prenatal closure of the DA, particularly for preterm infants. We present the case of an infant born at 31 weeks' gestation with right ventricular (RV) dysfunction and PH due to prenatal ductal closure, who was successfully treated with milrinone, resulting in full recovery of cardiac function. Prenatal ductal closure is rare, particularly under 32 weeks gestation, but should be suspected in cases of postnatal hypoxemia in the absence of significant lung disease or structural heart disease. Milrinone may be considered as a therapeutic agent to treat both PH and RV dysfunction in preterm infants status post in utero closure of the DA.