A Quality Improvement Project Aimed at Standardizing the Prescribing of Fluconazole Prophylaxis in a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: Invasive candidiasis has a high morbidity and mortality among premature neonates. Antifungal prophylaxis with fluconazole significantly lowers the risk of invasive fungal infection in this population. We noted the use of fluconazole prophylaxis in our level IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was variable and sought to standardize prescribing of prophylactic fluconazole. Methods: We formed a multidisciplinary team to develop an evidence-based protocol using literature and expert consensus to guide appropriate use of fluconazole prophylaxis in our level IV NICU. After determining baseline fluconazole prophylaxis prescribing before protocol implementation, we used plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles to introduce protocolized prescribing and incorporate it into daily practice. A 6-month intervention phase was followed by a 2-year control phase, in which monthly audits were performed to evaluate protocol adherence. Results were displayed in a statistical process control chart. Results: Before protocol implementation, fluconazole prophylaxis prescribing adhered to the protocol in 81% of patients. During the first PDSA cycle, adherence increased significantly to 94.5% (86/91 patients), which further increased to 98.7% (74/75 patients) during the second PDSA cycle and remained at 96% (120/125 patients) during the control phase (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: A multidisciplinary group-designed protocol was successful in standardizing fluconazole prophylaxis prescribing for infants in the level IV NICU. Adherence to protocol was high following implementation and was sustained for the duration of the project. There were no cases of invasive candidiasis noted.