NICUtrition BeST Practices automates feeding plans based on protocol and allows users to approve and modify feed level data at any point in the care delivery process. The real-time alerts and structured care logs keep the entire care team up-to-date on the infant’s nutritional status at all times. Full implementation of BeST Practices will save documentation time and increase the volume of structured, referenceable data entered.
Benefits for this product include:
- Facilitates consistent delivery of care
- Simplifies workflow and decreases documentation time
- Improved documentation – standardize information, eliminate gaps, capture structured data for improved reporting
The types of users who could benefit from this product include:
**Registered Neonatal Nurse** - A member of the NICU team, responsible for the daily care and feeding of premature and intensively ill newborns. Duties include but are not limited to: administering medications; monitoring vital signs; providing vital nutrients to these extremely vulnerable patients; assisting in treatment plans and examinations with clinical specialists and NICU staff. The nurse is responsible for tracking, maintaining and updating patient care records and to keep the parents informed of their baby's condition/progress and comforted as needed.
**NICU Nurse Manager** - Oversees daily unit operation and supervises nursing staff to ensure delivery of quality care; tracks and analyzes productivity and quality outcomes; implements process improvement strategies as directed and collaborates with director, staff and interdisciplinary team to standardize or update policies and procedures while ensuring internal and regulatory compliance. Accountable for staffing and scheduling while promoting accountability, empowerment and performance.
**Neonatal Nurse Practitioner** - Works in collaboration with the neonatologist (or neonatal fellow) and other members of the NICU and/or interdisciplinary team to assess, diagnose, and treat premature or critically ill newborn patients. Duties include but are not limited to: participating in rounds; writing orders; initiating medical procedures and tests; monitoring specialized NICU equipment; prescribing medication and treatment as required; and advising parents regarding the patient's condition as well as their proper treatment and care.
**Neonatologist (Level III/IV NICU)** - Pediatric doctor specifically trained to handle the most complex and high-risk medical issues associated with the birth and development of premature and intensively ill newborn patients. Responsible for overall care management of at-risk newborns in the NICU, including the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment as well as assistance with high-risk births and surgeries. Duties include but are not limited to: conducting rounds; writing orders; performing medical procedures and tests; prescribing medication and treatment; informing and advising parents regarding their infant's condition and treatment; collaborating/consulting with other medical specialists as required, ensuring the patient receives the proper nutrition for optimal growth and development and active involvement in research and clinical trial activities.
**Neonatal/Pediatric Dietician** - Registered dietician with specialized training and experience in neonatal nutrition works with members of the NICU team and other clinical specialists as needed, to assess the newborn's medical condition and prepare an individualized nutritional care plan -- considering the feeding method, medications and nutritional requirements -- to support proper healing, growth and development. Duties include but are not limited to: rounding; consultation; plan development, implementation and evaluation; monitoring and tracking of the infant's intake, calorie consumption, nutrient absorption, changes in patient weight and size, as well as addressing and accounting for any adverse events that arise.
**NICU Medical Director (Level III/IV)** - As a member of the management team, the director is responsible for planning, organizing and influencing the delivery of quality patient care in the NICU. The director is responsible for department staffing as well as creating, leading and participating in quality and evidence-based neonatal initiatives. Additionally, he/she is involved in policy planning, development, and implementation, while working to ensure that the policies effectively align with the overall goals of the health system. The director works to ensure staff adherence to regulatory guidelines and compliance to quality and safety standards and collaborates with other directors, staff and departments to maintain optimal services and manage costs.
**Maternal/Infant Care Services Line Director** - The service line director manages the departmental sub-function within the health system. Responsible for establishing effective strategies for programs, product/service line development, physician integration and resource utilization in order to achieve product/service line growth, efficiency, improved patient experience and overall quality care. Develops budgets, policies and procedures to support the functional infrastructure.
**Chief Quality Officer** - Oversees all quality, risk management and patient safety related activities throughout the health system. Responsible for maintaining the facilities system-wide Quality program, including: data collection, aggregation and analysis; maintaining policies and procedures; and reporting to administrators, medical staff and the board of directors. Directs all performance improvement initiatives to ensure national, state and agency regulatory compliance. Works with clinicians and administrators to improve patient safety and systems-level outcomes.
