Fry, T. J., Marfurt, S., & Wengier, S. (2018). Systematic Review of Quality Improvement Initiatives Related to Cue-Based Feeding in Preterm Infants. Nursing for women’s health.

A nursing team at The Children’s Hospital, OU Medicine, in Oklahoma City, OK examined and synthesized the outcomes of quality improvement (QI) initiatives related to cue-based feeding of preterm infants to facilitate implementation of findings to improve nursing practice.

Their review yielded seven studies related to cue-based feeding of preterm infants. Five studies included multidisciplinary stakeholder teams to assess their respective NICU environments and facilitate project completion. In two studies, feeding “champions” were designated as facilitators. In one study, researchers used a Plan–Do–Study–Act approach and emphasized process over outcome. In six studies, researchers measured hospital length of stay, which decreased in five intervention groups. In three studies, researchers measured infant weight gain, which increased in two intervention groups. In two studies, researchers monitored weight gain velocity, and in five studies, researchers reported earlier attainment of full oral feedings.

They concluded: Weight gain, time to full oral feedings, and hospital length of stay may be improved with the use of cue-based feeding. QI initiatives are a practical means to bring best evidence and multidisciplinary collaboration to the NICU.