biostudies-literatureUnknown5(4)Stetson RC<h4>Introduction</h4>Infants in neonatal intensive care units require painful and noxious stimuli as part of their care. Judicious use of analgesic medications, including opioids, is necessary. However, these medications have long- and short-term side effects, including potential neurotoxicity. This quality improvement project's primary aim was to decrease opioid exposure by 33% in the first 14 days of life for infants less than 1,250 g at birth within 12 months.<h4>Methods</h4>A multidisciplinary care team used <i>Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control</i> methodology to identify root causes of the quality gap including: (1) inconsistent reporting of objective pain scales; (2) variable provider prescribing patterns; and (3) variable provider bedside assessment of pain. These root causPediatric quality & safetye312https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7339154biostudies-literatureReducing Opioid Exposure in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.PMC7339154Smith BNFerrie LJSchuh ARBrumbaugh JESchuning VSStetson RCMisgen MAFang JLSanders NLfalseReducing Opioid Exposure in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.<h4>Introduction</h4>Infants in neonatal intensive care units require painful and noxious stimuli as part of their care. Judicious use of analgesic medications, including opioids, is necessary. However, these medications have long- and short-term side effects, including potential neurotoxicity. This quality improvement project's primary aim was to decrease opioid exposure by 33% in the first 14 days of life for infants less than 1,250 g at birth within 12 months.<h4>Methods</h4>A multidisciplinary care team used <i>Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control</i> methodology to identify root causes of the quality gap including: (1) inconsistent reporting of objective pain scales; (2) variable provider prescribing patterns; and (3) variable provider bedside assessment of pain. These root caus2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Jul-Aug2025-04-19T01:00:32.371Z2025-04-07T11:57:05.429ZS-EPMC73391543276648710.1097/pq9.0000000000000312