We aimed to decrease practice variation in treatment of neonatal status epilepticus by implementing a standardized protocol. Our primary goal was to achieve 80% adherence to the algorithm within 12 months. Secondary outcome measures included serum phenobarbital concentrations, number of patients progressing from seizures to status epilepticus, and length of hospital stay. Data collection occurred for 6 months prior and 12 months following protocol implementation. Adherence of 80% within 12 months was partially achieved in patients diagnosed in our hospital; in pretreated patients, adherence was not achieved. Maximum phenobarbital concentrations were decreased (56.8 vs 41.0 µg/mL), fewer patients progressed from seizures to status epilepticus (46% vs 36%), and hospital length of stay decreased by 9.7 days in survivors. In conclusion, standardized, protocol-driven treatment of neonatal status epilepticus improves consistency and short-term outcome.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: MRI with sedation is commonly used to detect intracranial traumatic pathology in the pediatric population. Our purpose is to compare nonsedated ultrafast MRI (ufMRI), non-contrast head CT (nHCT), and standard MRI (stMRI) for detection of intracranial trauma in patients with potential abusive head trauma (AHT). MATERIALS AND METHODS:A prospective study was performed in 24 pediatric patients who were evaluated for potential AHT. All patients received nHCT, ufMRI brain without sedation, and stMRI with general anesthesia or papoose, sequentially. Two pediatric neuroradiologists independently reviewed each modality blinded to other modalities for intracranial trauma. Inter-reader agreement was performed, and consensus interpretation for stMRI as the gold standard. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated for ufMRI, nHCT, and combined ufMRI with nHCT. RESULTS:Inter-reader agreement was moderate for ufMRI (k=0.42), substantial for nHCT (k=0.63), and nearly perfect for stMRI (k=0.86). 42% of patients had discrepancies between ufMRI and stMRI which included detection of subarachnoid hemorrhage, and subdural hemorrhage. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were obtained for any traumatic pathology for each exam: UfMRI (50%, 100%, 100%, 31%), nHCT (25%, 100%, 100%, 21%) and combination of ufMRI with nHCT (60%, 100%, 100%, 33%). UfMRI was more sensitive than nHCT for detection of intraparenchymal hemorrhage (p=0.03), and the combination of ufMRI with nHCT was more sensitive than nHCT alone for intracranial trauma (p=0.02). CONCLUSION:In AHT, ufMRI, even combined with nHCT, demonstrated low sensitivity compared to stMRI for intracranial traumatic pathology which may limit its utility in this patient population.Abbreviations: AHT: abusive head trauma; GRE: gradient recalled echo; nHCT: non contrast head CT
Background: Neonates are at a high risk for pressure ulcers (PU) due to skin immaturity and exposure to various medical devices. The prevalence of PU in the neonatal intensive care unit is estimated to be 23%, with 80% of those being related to medical devices, including electroencephalographic (EEG) electrodes. Proposed mechanisms involve prolonged pressure to the electrodes and chemical reactions to conductive agents. Purpose: The object of this quality improvement project was to reduce PU in neonates during continuous EEG (cEEG) monitoring by 50% within 12 months and 75% within 18 months. A secondary objective was to eliminate electrode-related infections by 12 months. Balancing measures included gestational age at the time of monitoring, integrity of the EEG setup, and cost effectiveness. The process measure was adherence to the skin-monitoring tool kit. Methods: A multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle method was used. All neonates monitored with cEEG were included. The monitoring tool kit was used to document the condition of scalp and EEG electrodes before, during, and after cEEG. Results: In the preproject period, 8.5% (9/106) of monitored patients developed PU, and 22.2% (2/9) of those developed infections. During the project period, 3.5% (7/198) of monitored patients developed PU and no infections were observed. During monitoring, 21 patients showed skin irritation, and timely intervention resulted in resolution in more than 90% of the cases and prevented progression into PU. Silver/silver chloride–plated electrodes, when exposed to external heat sources, can cause burns, resembling PU. Implications for Practice: Intervention at the electrode level together with skin inspection successfully reduces PU in neonates. Silver/silver chloride–plated electrodes should be avoided in neonates. Implications for Research: Further research is needed to identify the optimal electrode for neonatal EEG.
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