Metabolic bone disease of prematurity screening and individualized enteral mineral supplementation in high-risk neonates: a quality improvement initiative

Prompted by an alarmingly low screening rate for metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP), we aimed to increase MBDP screening with serum calcium, phosphorous, and alkaline phosphatase at four to six weeks of life in infants born at <1500 g and <32 gestational weeks from a baseline of 27.37% to 90% within one year.

We used the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s Model for Improvement as a framework. A key driver diagram informed the interventions which were carried out through four Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles.

There were 129 and 130 neonates in the pre-intervention baseline group and post-intervention MBDP bundle group, respectively. MBDP bundled primary screening rates increased from 27.37% to 95.56% (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 20% of infants had an individualized change in their enteral mineral supplementation after the initiative.

An interdisciplinary team-based quality improvement approach was effective in altering clinical practice to improve screening and subsequent treatment for MBDP.