Vermont Oxford Network Data Base

1
Vermont Oxford Network Data Base

• Joyce Zwane

2
Introduction

• This is a non-profit voluntary collaboration of
  healthcare professionals, that was started in
  1987 in Vermont.
• The purpose is to improve the quality and safety
  of medical care for the neonates and their
  families.
• Mission The network has two databases
• That contain information about the care and
  outcomes of high-risk newborns. We supply data of
  all our VLBW infants and all infants admitted
  into our ICU.
• .

3
Purpose of Data

• Provides reliable and confidential data to the
  units for quality management, audits and
  improvements.
• Provides data for research and epidemiological
  studies
• Creates platform for education for health
  professionals and families.

4
I was one of the lucky five to spread my wings
over the Atlantic Ocean to attend the eighth VON
congress in Washington D.C

5
Advantages of VON

• Provides global uniformity in terms of Neonatal
  Care
• Ensures correct capturing of data, thus improving
  correct documentation
• Gives time-frame for administration of Survanta
  or Curosurf
• Reduces the indiscriminate use of oxygen
• Encourages the use of Neopuffs instead of
  ambubags
• Suggests that oxygen to be increased by three
  gradings at a time

6

• Emphasizes the importance of blending oxygen
• Standardizes alarm settings for oxygen saturation
  of between 85-95
• Encourages the use of CPAP more than conventional
  ventilation thus reducing the no. of ventilation
  days and therefore complications such BPD

7
Infant Nutrition

• Promotes the use of early Breastmilk feeding
  where possible, Or Total Parenteral Nutrition as
  early 6 hours post delivery if infant is stable
  and blood sugar monitoring daily or prn
• Adding FM85 if infant tolerates 100ml/kg/24hrs

8
General

• Focus on admission temperature
• Use of Caffeine instead Aminophyllin
• Use of sucrose for pain during procedures
• Eye-testing Criteria Infant s lt 35 weeks lt
  1.5kg for R.O.P
• Cranial Ultrasound as above
• Reduction of noise levels in the N.I.C.U.
• More focus on infection prevention and control
  i.e. Basic hand washing, use of non-touch
  dispensers- sprays.

9
Proper use of equipmentand Cleaning techniques

• Focus on specific areas
• Humidification systems
• Trolleys, outside equipment brought into the unit
  (X-ray machines)
• Stethoscopes, thermometers
• Calculators, patient files
• Telephones
• Temperature control and cleaning of fridges
• Control of Visitors
• Weekly incubators and Ventilator changes
• Long nails, nail polish, wrist watches and
  religious strings

10
The End