Implementation of a Guideline to Decrease Use of Acid-Suppressing Medications in the NICU.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acid-suppressing medications are used extensively in term and preterm newborns despite limited efficacy data and increasing evidence for potential harm. We sought to reduce nonindicated use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and histamine-2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) in our level III/IV NICU by developing and implementing a guideline for their use. Our specific aim was to reduce prescriptions among infants <1 month corrected age from a baseline of 7.5 to 4 per month by December 2016.

METHODS: Our outcome measures were number of nonindicated PPI/H2RA prescriptions per month, total (indicated and nonindicated) prescriptions per month and percent of patient days with PPI/H2RA therapy. We also tracked potential complications associated with PPIs/H2RAs as secondary outcomes and gastrointestinal bleed as a balancing measure. Interventions and plan-do-study-act cycles included implementation of the initial guideline, guideline revision based on staff feedback, and staff education. By using statistical process control charts and interrupted time series analysis, we compared outcomes over an 8-month baseline period and 2 postimplementation periods spanning 19 months.

RESULTS: Nonindicated prescription of PPIs/H2RAs decreased from mean 7.5 per month to 0 ( P = .001). Concurrently, total PPI/H2RA prescriptions decreased from mean 11.5 per month to 2.5 ( P = .002). Rates of the balancing measure and potentially related complications remained stable over time.

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an evidence-based guideline in our unit led to a significant decrease in nonindicated use of acid-suppressing medications and reduced the burden of exposure to PPIs/H2RAs. This intervention could feasibly be implemented in other similar inpatient settings.