November 30, 2022

In the literature...

Early Weight Loss Percentile Curves and Feeding Practices in Opioid-Exposed Infants. - OBJECTIVE To evaluate the feasibility of using newborn cry acoustics (acoustics referring to the physical properties of sound) as an objective biobehavioral marker of NOWS. RESULTS Final analyses included 65 neonates (mean [SD] gestational age at birth, 36.6 [1.1] weeks; 36 [55.4%] female; 50 [76.9%] White) with usable cry recordings. Of those, 19 neonates received pharmacological treatment for NOWS, 7 neonates were exposed to opioids but did not receive pharmacological treatment for NOWS, and 39 healthy neonates were not exposed to opioids. The mean of the predictions of random forest classifiers predicted receipt of pharmacological treatment for NOWS with high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve, 0.90 [95%CI, 0.83-0.98]; accuracy, 0.85 [95%CI, 0.74-0.92]; sensitivity, 0.89 [95%CI, 0.67-0.99]; specificity, 0.83 [95%CI, 0.69-0.92]).

Fostering Hope: Comprehensive Accessible Mother-Infant Dyad Care for Neonatal Abstinence (CAIN) - Hospital and community healthcare providers have expressed concerns around the continuity and quality of care for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) during hospitalization and transition home. Qualitative analysis of their experiences derived the overarching theme of hope with five primary themes being: mother/infant, mental health, system, judgement, and knowledge. The study identified gaps in NAS care including fear, stigma, and language. This research demonstrates that programs and interventions that work with mothers and newborns with NAS must foster hope in mothers, families, and in the extended care provider team and improve communication between hospital and community networks.

The following need to be completed by December 31, 2022

• Roster - who's on your team for the coming year 
• Snapshot - where you are now in clOUDi work
• Prework - a quick look at where you are with the new components
• Kick-off - January 12, 2023, McKimmon Center Raleigh - register and join with other teams to plan the work of the coming year

More information, links, and forms at the button below

This is the final phase in our innovative effort to transform the care we deliver to those dealing with perinatal substance use - our ongoing partnership with you in clOUDi is essential as we continue the journey to make North Carolina the best place to give birth and be born.

clOUDi 3.0 Kickoff - please note!

The PQCNC team is busy with detailed plans for the kickoff and while the morning will be jam-packed with new content and special guests, the afternoon will be reserved for extensive detailed team table time to help your team prepare for the work of the coming year.

It is important to bring as many team members as possible to the kickoff. The day has been designed to give teams the opportunity to learn from the expertise of our guest speakers and apply what you have learned to the development of your team’s quality improvement plan for clOUDi 3.0.

A team will be required to get the most out of the day and to fully participate in the day’s activities.

In addition to newsletters and phone calls the PQCNC team is also available to visit in person -  

A PQCNC team visit can help move your facility forward in an initiative by

•  helping with team building and member recruitment
• speaking with staff to promote understanding of initiatives and process change 
•  assisting in brainstorming ideas around data collection and entry
•  engaging hospital administration in the work involved in an initiative
•  reviewing work completed providing feedback
•  observing workflow to aid in full adoption of a process change
•  or anything else you need

Below are dates that we are available to visit your facility - use the button that follows to reserve your date.

• December 15