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  • Original Article
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Effect of universal neonatal transcutaneous bilirubin screening on blood draws for bilirubin analysis and phototherapy usage

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the effect of universal transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) screening on total serum bilirubin (TSB) blood draws and phototherapy usage.

Study Design:

The subjects were infants 36 weeks gestation. In period 1, TSB was ordered based on clinical factors. In period 2, all infants underwent predischarge TcB measurement; infants with adjusted TcB values in the high-intermediate or high-risk zones had TSB ordered. Data were extracted through chart review.

Result:

TSB measurements per 1000 infants decreased from 717 to 713 (P=0.008) between period 1 and 2, with more outpatient and less inpatient blood draws in period 2. Between periods 1 and 2, total phototherapy decreased from 59 to 39 per 1000 infants (P<0.0001), with less inpatient and more readmission phototherapy.

Conclusion:

Universal TcB screening was implemented without increasing total blood draws or phototherapy treatment; however, it was associated with a shift in blood draws and phototherapy usage from inpatients to outpatients.

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Acknowledgements

We had full access to all the data in the study, and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

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Correspondence to W J Cook.

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Wickremasinghe, A., Karon, B., Saenger, A. et al. Effect of universal neonatal transcutaneous bilirubin screening on blood draws for bilirubin analysis and phototherapy usage. J Perinatol 32, 851–855 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2012.10

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