A standardized implementation of multicenter quality improvement program of very low birth weight newborns could significantly reduce admission hypothermia and improve outcomes

Table 4 Comparison of adverse outcomes among VLBW neonates in pre-QI and post- QI phase

Outcome	Pre-QI phase (n = 270)	Post-QI phase (n = 480)	P ^a
Composite outcome, n (%)	101 (37.4)	159 (33.1)	0.237
Mortality, n (%)	29 (10.7)	13 (2.7)	< 0.001
LOS, n (%)	89 (33.0)	105 (21.9)	0.001
NEC (Bell stage ≥ 2), n (%)	14 (5.2)	13 (2.7)	0.081
IVH (Papile grade 3/4), n (%)	6 (2.2)	17 (3.5)	0.314
Pulmonary hemorrhage, n (%)	17 (6.3)	18 (3.8)	0.113
BPD (moderate/severe), n (%)	27 (10.0)	53 (11.0)	0.657
ROP (grade 3/4), n (%)	3 (1.1)	7 (1.7)	0.754

Data are presented as n (%). Abbreviations: QI Quality improvement, IVH, Intraventricular haemorrhage, NEC Necrotizing enterocolitis, LOS Late-onset neonatal sepsis, BPD Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, ROP Retinopathy of prematurity
Composite outcome included death before discharge or any of major morbidity including grade 3 or 4 IVH, grade 3 or 4 ROP, moderate/severe BPD and stage 2 or higher NEC
^a Chi-Square test

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