A retrospective comparison of VLBW outcomes before and after implementing new delivery room guidelines at a regional tertiary care center

Objective:to evaluate the impact of implemented protocol changes on delivery room interventions and very low birth weight (vlbw) health outcomes.study design:retrospective study comparing birth characteristics, interventions and health outcomes of vlbw infants born in a tertiary care center before (calendar years 2008 to 2009) and after (calendar years 2012 to 2013) implementing new protocols using chi-square analyses.result:four hundred and nine were born before and 303 after changes were implemented. postimplementation infants had more use of antenatal steroids (p=0.02), gestational age ⩽24 weeks (p=0.03) and birth weights between 501 and 750 g (p=0.04) and less oxygen administration (p=0.002), face mask ventilation (p=0.0001), surfactant use (p=0.0001), chest compressions (p=0.0001), intubation (p=0.002), epinephrine use (p=0.011), hypothermia (p=0.0001) and discharges home on supplemental oxygen (p=0.05).conclusion:changes creating a new delivery team, adopting new delivery practice guidelines and updating delivery room equipment resulted in positive outcomes for delivery room practices and patient outcomes.