At Centra, innovation often starts with a simple question: Is there a better way to care for our patients? That question sparked a recent project to improve how we care for newborns whose mothers are diagnosed with a condition called chorioamnionitis, and so far, the project has already made a positive impact.
Chorioamnionitis is a common complication during pregnancy that happens when there is inflammation or infection in the uterus. It can increase health risks for both mothers and babies, especially if not treated quickly. For many years, the standard response has been to treat any newborn exposed to this condition with antibiotics as a just in case protocol.
That approach, while safe, can have downsides. Unnecessary antibiotics can disrupt a baby’s natural gut health, delay bonding with parents and lead to longer hospital stays. This led a team of pediatric hospitalists, nurses, pharmacists and clinical educators spearheaded by Tiffany Kidd, NP to investigate whether there was a smarter way to care for these newborns that kept them safe while avoiding unnecessary treatment.
Instead of giving antibiotics to all babies exposed to chorioamnionitis, the team adopted a more personalized, observation-based approach recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. They used a tool known as the Early-Onset Sepsis (EOS) Calculator to assess each baby’s risk and closely monitored their health before deciding whether antibiotics were truly needed.
Since this new process was rolled out in July 2024, the team has reduced antibiotic use in these babies by 70% without compromising their health or delaying care. That’s not only good news for babies, but also for families who now experience fewer interruptions in bonding, breastfeeding and recovery time.
“Don't misunderstand, there is a place for antibiotics and when needed will be initiated and used appropriately, but practicing good antibiotic stewardship is important in healthcare for quality-of-life outcomes,” explained Tiffany.
This approach has allowed Centra’s Maternal & Newborn Division to treat babies as individuals rather than automatically giving them medication they may not need. At the end of the day, it’s about safe care, smart choices and providing the best start to life possible.
