Evaluation of a Practice Guideline for the Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Preterm Infants

Abstract

Background: A new practice guideline for the management of respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants was implemented into practice as a quality improvement initiative. Objective: To study the effects of implementing the new guideline on the use of mechanical ventilation, surfactant and the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Study Design: An observational one-year before and after study was conducted in preterm infants born between 260 -326 weeks gestation. Results: Two hundred and seventy-two preterm infants were included in the study. Following the implementation of the guideline the number of infants treated with ongoing mechanical ventilation was reduced from 63 infants (49%) to 37 (26%) infants (P<0.001). There was no difference in the number of infants treated with surfactant or the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Conclusion: The implementation of the practice guideline helped to minimize the use of ongoing mechanical ventilation in preterm infants at high risk of respiratory distress syndrome.