The Journey to Tracking Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Acuity

In 2001, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) proposed six aims for changing the American health care system. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (n.d.) 1 Those aims were intended to make the future health care system; Safe, Timely, Effective, Efficient, Equitable, and Patient-Centered. With the acronym of STEEEP, the proposal provided a very steep learning curve for the United States Health Care System. Fortunately for nursing leaders, having been trained in providing a safe environment for patients, monitoring trends, and solving problems, the learning curve was not as steep. A small group of multidisciplinary leaders have been working on achieving these aims in a midwest level IV neonatal intensive care unit. The focus has been to improve patient safety through appropriate staffing and communication amongst health care providers with the use of evidence, structure, and technology.The team of multidisciplinary leaders have redesigned the rounding process, improved communication, tracked acuity, and enhanced staffing as a result of tracking productivity and acuity in the NICU.