6202 Newborn and infant physical examination (NIPE): reaudit on measures to ensure high quality standards

Objectives To assess the quality of Newborn and Infant Physical Examination (NIPE) in our trust by aligning with local and national guidelines123 To check the implementation of previous recommendation and changes To identify areas of practice that could be improved Methods A retrospective audit and reaudit were conducted in Pilgrim and Lincoln Hospitals (United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust- Pan Trust) using a self-administered questionnaire. The 1st re-audit included medical staff performing NIPE from October to November 2020. An action plan was implemented after the 1st re-audit, focusing on staff education and information accessibility. A 2nd re-audit is ongoing from October to November 2023. Results The 1st re-audit included 20 medical staff, with a target of 30 medical and midwifery staff for the 2nd re-audit. After implementing the recommendations from the 1st audit, the 1st re-audit showed (a) NIPE training awareness improved from 73% to 80%; (b) completion of training module decreased from 63 to 60%; (c) awareness of guidelines decreased from 90% to 80%; (d) awareness of referral pathways increased from 73% to 80%; (e) competence to perform NIPEs unsupervised increased from 93% to 100%; (f) ability to edit baby details on NIPE system increased from 43% to 60%. The 2nd re-audit results will be available in mid-November 2023. Conclusion The 1st re-audit highlights areas for improvement and progress made. It is encouraging to see an increase in awareness of NIPE training, competence for unsupervised NIPEs, and improved ability to edit baby details. However, it is essential to address the slight decrease in completion of the training module and the awareness of guidelines. The results of the 2nd re-audit, currently in progress, will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of the action plan implemented after the 1st re-audit. Further, this 2nd re-audit will give an insight of current changes implemented by NHS England to train midwives and nurses to perform newborn checks and medical professionals to maintain competencies updated by annually performing NIPE E- learning module. The training requirements for all these teams have been published on 24th of July 2023 by NHS England.4 Efforts to train, educate, and support healthcare professionals based on this guidance, tailored to address the identified areas of improvement will help to maintain high- quality NIPE standards and to achieve KPIs as out lined by NHS England. References Postnatal care, NICE Guideline NG194, 20 April 2021. Newborn and infant physical examination screening: standards, NHS England, 12 March 2021. NIPE Guideline, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT), Last update March 2021. Newborn and infant physical examination:training requirements, NHS England, 24 July 2023.