Impact of a Care Bundle on Cost Saving for Noninvasive Respiratory Support for Neonates.

BACKGROUND

Neonates often receive noninvasive respiratory support via continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or high-flow nasal cannula oxygen (HHFNC). The decision to change from one mode to the other, however, is not evidence based, hence not standardized and does not consider cost implications.

PURPOSE

To assess the introduction of a care bundle for the medical and nursing staff in a tertiary medical and surgical neonatal center with regard to any financial savings or adverse outcomes.

METHODS

An education package and written guidelines were used to increase the awareness of the durations for which CPAP and HHFNC Vapotherm (VT) circuits could be used and the costs of the circuits.

RESULTS

This resulted in a cost saving of £17,000 ($22,254) for the year without adverse outcomes.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Introduction of a care bundle involving an education package and written guidelines to increase the awareness of the durations that circuits could be used and the costs of CPAP and HHFNC circuits among the medical and nursing staff can lead to cost savings when incorporated into clinical practice.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Strategies, particularly during weaning, which involve changing from one form of noninvasive respiratory support to another, need a greater evidence base. Future research should include awareness of the duration different circuits could be used and the cost implications of changes between modes and hence circuits.