Neaha Patel
Whipps Cross Hospital, UK
Biography
Neaha Patel graduated from University of Birmingham in 2013, and is currently an ST4 Paediatric registrar working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Homerton University Hospital. She has a keen interest in Neonatology, and is completing her postgraduate diploma in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at Oxford University, with a view to develop an interest in Neonatal Infection. She has one published work in a reputed journal.
Abstract
Early-onset neonatal infection (<72 hours of birth) can result in significant morbidity and mortality in newborn babies. We conducted an audit in 2016 to assess the compliance at a District General hospital against the NICE CG149 guideline outlining the standards for antibiotics in early-onset neonatal infection. This was re-audited in 2018 to review whether recommendations implemented had been effective.
We collected data retrospectively of 50 babies that had been treated on the postnatal ward for suspected sepsis. The same number of patients were audited in 2016. Babies admitted to the Neonatal Unit were excluded. Results found that only 52% of babies in 2016 and 54% of babies in 2018 are receiving their first dose of antibiotics within one hour of decision to treat. This is due to the midwives being preoccupied with caring for the mother post-partum, and despite this issue being raised at labour ward forum two years ago, no change was seen. The lack of improvement over the past two years was disappointing, and as such has resulted in recommendations to increase the number of transitional care nurses and considering allocating a Neonatal Nurse to administer antibiotics on labour ward. Another key recommendation is to allow the neonatal doctors to administer the first dose of IV antibiotics at time of cannulation to prevent delay; this is a method that is employed in other hospitals in the Trust and is extremely effective. A re-audit will be performed in 2 years to observe whether an improvement is seen.