Gap analysis of neonatal medication management in non-pediatric hospitals

Affiliations

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital

Presentation Notes

Presented at 2025 Illinois Pharmacy Resident Conference; May 16, 2025; Schaumburg, IL.

Abstract

Background: Most pharmacists receive little to no formal training in pediatric and neonatal pharmacotherapy. Due to the lack of training, some pharmacists may struggle with neonatal intensive care pharmacotherapy management. The objective of this review is to identify hospital-specific operational, educational, or clinical areas that may be improved to provide safe and effective neonatal care.

Methods: A three-part process was developed to complete a gap analysis for the Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital department of pharmacy. The initial step was a 9-item survey questionnaire electronically distributed to all inpatient pharmacists. The intent of this survey was to identify topics, clinical or operational, that pharmacists see as areas of educational needs. Part two of this study analyzes neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) related safety events. The safety events analysis aimed to identify areas of opportunity for operational or clinical improvement. The last section evaluated current NICU computer-based training (CBT) to assess its relevancy and to identify areas of improvement.

Results: From the pharmacist survey, 17/28 (61%) pharmacists completed the survey. Overall, the survey identified pharmacists' educational gap with managing disease states in neonatal patients, such as antimicrobial stewardship and cardiology, due to a perceived lack of knowledge. Safety event analysis reviewed 47 safety events. 39/47 (83%) events were classified as “operational” and 8/47 (17%), were classified as “clinical.” Of the operational safety events, 28/39 (72%) were further classified as “dispensing error.” Based on data collected and operational gaps identified, a hospital-specific centralized pharmacist workflow protocol was developed. Evaluation of the NICU CBT identified areas of improvement, and these findings were submitted to Advocate Health Enterprise Pediatric Pharmacy Workgroup.

Conclusion: Identifying areas of operational and clinical improvement can improve patient care and minimize safety events. Future plans include conducting a prospective analysis following implemented changes to the NICU CBT modules and establishment of a centralized pharmacist workflow for NICU patients.

Document Type

Oral/Podium Presentation


 

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