Controversies in Caring for Infants and Families Affected by Substance Abuse Disorders and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Launches January 2013

The Vermont Oxford Network is pleased to announce our 13th internet-based quality improvement collaborative.

Substance abuse disorders have created a major public health burden for maternal and child health. Infants exposed in-utero to opiate medications may exhibit signs of withdrawal after birth, characterized as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). Recently Patrick and colleagues have documented a dramatic increase in NAS during the past decade (JAMA. 2012;307(18):1934-1940). Infants with NAS have higher rates of neonatal complications, experience prolonged lengths of stay, and consume substantial NICU and hospital resources. Further, they impose a growing burden on already strained state Medicaid expenditures.

iNICQ 2013 is designed to assist teams of neonatal and obstetric professionals to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of care for substance-exposed newborns and their families. Although there is still considerable scientific uncertainty regarding the optimal approaches to identification, treatment and monitoring of infants with NAS, we believe that making measurable improvement is not only possible, but is also our responsibility.

iNICQ 2013 NAS Collaborative (Core)

• Baseline local assessments and session pre-work
• Five 90-minute Internet-based learning sessions comprised of expert evidence reviews, improvement knowledge and tools, followed by 30 minute structured work sessions for the local teams
• Virtual visits to a Center of Excellence
• Serial VON Day Audits to assist in tracking quality measures for NAS
• Access to NICQpedia improvement tools and resources
• Participation in the iNICQ 2013 email discussion list

iNICQ 2013 NAS Collaborative Intensive Track (Elective)
Participants who enroll in the iNICQ 2013 Intensive Track will have the opportunity to participate in an accelerated quality improvement series that is designed to help organizations execute and sustain their QI efforts. In addition to the Core offerings, the Intensive track includes:

• Four additional 60-minute Internet-based learning sessions led by experienced QI faculty
• Collaboration and networking with NICQ 8 participants and your iNICQ 2013 Intensive colleagues in-person at a special one-day meeting held in conjunction with the VON 2013 Annual Meeting