Neonatal Epidemiology, Clinical Effectiveness and Outcomes Research
Researchers in the Division of Neonatology who focus on neonatal epidemiology, clinical effectiveness and outcomes research share a common goal - to improve the quality of life for newborn infants and to transform the way care is delivered to newborns. Researchers tie together the important aspects of understanding the causes of newborn disorders and delivering optimal care to improve the long-term outcomes of neonates.
The Division has long participated in the Vermont Oxford Network to monitor the health and neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born at less than 1500 grams. New initiatives in epidemiology and outcomes focus on understanding the cause and effect of late preterm birth, which represents a growing population of preterm infants, and understanding the cause and morbidities associated with congenital anomalies like gastroschisis, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and complex airway anomalies.
Research in clinical effectiveness is critical for developing better ways to monitor and improve the quality of care that we deliver for babies. Through the application of quality improvement (QI) science in our daily care of newborns we are improving the outcomes of neonates as we work to decrease our rates of line-associated blood-stream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonias, and delivery room hypothermia. Collaboration with the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative (OPQC) has allowed us to extend these efforts to a state-wide level. Research in the division focuses not only on quality improvement, but also on understanding the delivery of care and variations in practice.
For further information, please visit the faculty sites listed below:
| Laurel Moyer, MD | Neonatal Quality Improvement and upper airway obstruction |
| Tanya Cahill, MD | High risk infant follow-up and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome |
| Edward Donovan, MD | Infant mortality and blood-stream infections |
| James Greenberg, MD | Epidemiology and outcomes of late preterm birth |
| Beth Haberman, MD | Care of infants with CDH and follow-up care of infants with complex medical needs |
| Heather Kaplan, MD, MSCE | Variation in evidence-based care and strategies for implementation |
| Kristin Melton, MD | NICU patient safety |
| Vivek Narendran, MD, MRCP | Effect of birth hospital on VLBW outcomes; NICU patient safety |
| Amy Nathan, MD | Epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis |
| Laurie Nommsen-Rivers, PhD | Perinatal epidemiology and human milk and lactation |
| Andrew South, MD | Epidemiology and outcomes of gastroschisis and late preterm birth |
| Jean Steichen, MD | High risk infant follow-up |
| Laura Ward, MD | Epidemiology of necrotizing enterocolitis |
| Kathy Wedig, MD | High-risk infant follow-up and neonatal abstinence syndrome |
