Work

Timely administration of antibiotics for neonatal sepsis in the neonatal intensive care unit: A quality improvement initiative

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To Improve timely administration of the first antibiotic dose in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) through a quality improvement (QI) initiative. STUDY DESIGN: Conducted in a 53- bed NICU over 3 years involving 1094 neonates who received antibiotics for suspected sepsis. Using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) methods, three interventions were made: NICU staff education; developed order sets for stat antibiotic doses and implementation of a secure code medication delivery system. Outcomes included the infants receiving their first antibiotic dose within 60 min of ordering and average time from order to administration. RESULTS: Infants receiving antibiotics within 60 min improved from baseline 32.7% to 84.4% over a 3 year period and has been sustained over 2 years. The average time to administration decreased from 93.3 min to 44.7 min. CONCLUSION: A systematic multidisciplinary approach decreased the time from antibiotic order to administration time in the NICU.

Source: Journal of Perinatology

DOI: 10.1038/s41372-026-02710-0

Authors: Harjinder P Singh, Sheri Landazuri, Susan Wilkinson

Institution: Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Neonatal and Maternal Infections

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,790