The impact of a quality improvement effort in reducing admission hypothermia in preterm infants following delivery

PURPOSE: Hypothermia at admission is associated with increased mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. We performed a quality improvement (QI) effort to determine the impact of a decrease in admission hypothermia in preterm infants. METHODS: The study enrolled very low birth weight (VLBW) infants born at Gangnam Severance Hospital between January 2013 and December 2016. This multidisciplinary QI effort included the use of occlusive wraps, warm blankets, and caps; the delivery room temperature was maintained above 23.0˚C, and a check-list was used for feedback. RESULTS: Among 259 preterm infants, the incidence of hypothermia (defined as body temperature