Implementation of the Early-Onset Sepsis Risk Calculator at a Community Level I Nursery

Abstract

The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to decrease the frequency of laboratory draws and the number of neonates receiving empiric antibiotics who are born to mothers with chorioamnionitis from 100% to 50% 6 months following implementation of the sepsis risk calculator (SRC) at a level 1 community nursery. Data were compared pre- and post-implementation of the SRC using the Fischer’s exact test. The rate of intravenous (IV) antibiotic use decreased from 93% to 7% ( P < .0001). The rate of blood culture collection decreased from 100% to 46% ( P < .0001). With implementation of the SRC, administration of IV antibiotics, laboratory draws, and IV placement significantly decreased without increasing rates of early-onset sepsis in our patient population. Our study demonstrated that the SRC can be effectively and safely implemented at a level 1 community–based newborn nursery, resulting in a decrease in unnecessary medical treatment without negative patient outcomes.