J Perinatol. 2025 Apr 12. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02298-x. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Using a quality improvement (QI) framework, we aimed to use dextrose gel (DG) to reduce admissions for neonatal hypoglycemia by 20% and IV dextrose fluid needs by 10% in at-risk infants.
METHODS: This is a prospective QI study using the Model for Improvement and planned sequential experimentation through three Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles: pathway creation, EMR implementation, and dose increase. Data were analyzed using Shewhart P-charts and chi-square tests.
RESULTS: Our interventions increased the percentage of at-risk infants with hypoglycemia who received DG from 67% to 98%. Implementing three doses of DG caused a special cause variation, reducing neonatal hypoglycemia admissions from 3.7% to 2.0% and IV dextrose fluid rates from 2.7% to 1.7% (46% and 37% reduction, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Three doses of dextrose gel administered to at-risk infants with neonatal hypoglycemia reduced the need for additional intervention, suggesting the dose-related efficacy of dextrose gel in mitigating the consequences of neonatal hypoglycemia.
PMID:40221610 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-025-02298-x
