NEONATAL HYPOTHERMIA PREVENTION
Neonatal Hypothermia is defined as a reduction of a newborns core temperature to below 36.5 degrees Celsius and is categorized as mild (36°C–36.4°C), moderate (32°C–35.9°C) and severe (<32°C). Approximately 21.7% of all infants experience hypothermia during the birthing admission, with 4.6% experiencing moderate/severe hypothermia. Hypothermia is a contributing factor to neonatal mortality and morbidity and is associated with a higher risk of infants developing hypoglycemia, jaundice, respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, and suffering from intraventricular hemorrhage. The infant mortality rate in Alabama is 7.2 deaths per 1000 live births, which is higher than the national average of 5.4 per 1000 live births. Standardized and early interventions are vital in the prevention, care, and management of neonatal hypothermia. Unfortunately, there is inconsistency in delivery room protocols regarding neonatal hypothermia prevention, early interventions, monitoring.
Project Aim
Throughout the Neonatal Hypothermia Prevention (NHP) Initiative, the ALPQC will work in collaboration with hospitals and providers throughout Alabama to reduce by 20% the proportion of infants that are hypothermic on admission by July 1, 2025. Our key goals will be to promote standardized, facility-wide protocols and checklists, availability of equipment and supplies, timely debriefs, and education regarding best care practices for hypothermia prevention disseminated to staff, patients and families.
Promote standardized, facility-wide protocols and checklists
Promote availability of equipment and supplies
Promote timely debriefs and education for best care practices
Key Documents
- Neonatal Hypothermia Prevention Charter – Updated 12/12/2023
- NHP Getting Started– Updated 12/14/2023
- NPH Toolkit & Checklist – Updated 12/12/2023
- NHP Driver Diagram – Updated 01/25/2024
- Golden Hour Key Driver Diagram
Clinical Documents
- Conversion Table (Fahrenheit to Celsius)
- Recommended Guidelines for Thermoregulation in Preterm Infants (<35 weeks) Example
- Admission Temperature Guidelines for Infants 35 weeks and older Example
- Golden Hour Data Sheet (Example)
- Golden Hour Team Roles Example (Table 1)
- Hypothermia Algorithim (Example)
- Delivery Room Checklist Example 1 (Table 1)
- Delivery Room Checklist Example 2 (Page 5)
- Case Review/Debrief Form Example (Page 4)
Data Resources
- NHP Data Collection Worksheet -updated 03/21/2024
- NHP Data Collection Form (PDF) -updated 03/21/2024
- NHP Data Measures Form -updated 01/23/2024
- How to Use Random Number Generator (PDF)
Expanded Delivery Room Package
- Expanded Delivery Room Data Collection Worksheet – updated 03/21/2024
- Expanded Delivery Room Data Collection Form (PDF) – updated 03/21/2024
- Expanded Delivery Room Data Measures Form – updated 01/23/2024
Other Resources
Action Period Calls & Webinars
2024
- August 2024 Action Period Call: NHP Data Review & Hospital Share | Slides
- July 2024 Action Period Call: NHP Data Review & Delayed Cord Clamping | Slides
- June 2024 Action Period Call: NHP Data Review | Slides
- May 2024 Action Period Call: NHP Data Review & Dr. Amrita Nayak | Slides
- April 2024 Action Period Call: Baseline Data Review & Model for Improvement | Slides
- March 2024 Action Period Call: Preventing Hypothermia | Slides
- February 2024 Action Period Call: NHP Overview | Slides
- January 2024 Action Period Call: Baseline Data & Sustainability | Slides