BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Infant mortality is an indicator of overall societal health, and a significant proportion of infant deaths occur in NICUs. The objectives were to identify causes of death and to define potentially preventable factors associated with death as areas for quality improvement efforts in the NICU.

The incidence of NEC was significantly decreased after the implementation of standardized feeding schedules, which was independent of birth weight, prenatal steroid exposure, breast milk, day of life of first feed, and the number of days to reach full feeds.

Bacterial contamination of cell phones may serve as vectors for nosocomial infection in the neonatal intensive care unit. Bacteria transmitted from cell phone to hands may not be eliminated using anti-microbial gel. Development of hand hygiene and cell phone cleaning guidelines are needed regarding bedside cell phone use.

No abstract