The Incubator

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Michael Padula from CHOP about his research on central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in the NICU. Dr. Padula presents findings from his talk, “Why Not a CLABSI?” where he examines the complex definitions and variations in CLABSI reporting across institutions. By investigating secondary bloodstream infections and potential alternative metrics, Dr. Padula sheds light on the challenges of accurately categorizing and preventing infections in critical care. Don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation on improving quality measures in neonatal care.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna welcome back Dr. Srirupa Gopal, who returns to The Incubator podcast with exciting updates. Now an Assistant Professor of Neonatology at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Dr. Gopal shares insights from her CHNC workshop on hemodynamic-based strategies in neonatal care and her perspective on evolving medication approaches. Additionally, Dr. Gopal introduces her new role within The Incubator team, leading a special series featuring neonatal fellows discussing their research projects. Tune in to learn how this initiative aims to foster international collaboration and bring neonatal research to a global audience.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Heather Tubbs Cooley about her research on nurse workload and its impact on neonatal care in the NICU. Dr. Tubbs Cooley highlights how nurse staffing ratios and subjective workload affect critical care tasks, from endotracheal tube surveillance to parent engagement and discharge teaching. This conversation sheds light on the nuanced realities of nurse workload and the challenges of maintaining comprehensive care amidst increasing demands. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on supporting nurses and enhancing patient outcomes in the NICU.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna are joined by members of the CHNC DEI Focus Group—Dr. Helen Williams, Dr. Nikki McLaughlin, Dr. Emily Fisherman, and Dr. Ann Downey—who discuss their commitment to creating an inclusive NICU environment. They explore the challenges and essential steps for integrating family-centered, culturally competent care in neonatal units. Listen as they share insights on improving equity in access to care, supporting diverse healthcare teams, and small but impactful changes, like using family and baby names on rounds, to foster a respectful NICU culture.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Liz Wetzel, Dr. Summer Elshenawy, and Dr. Hannah Hightower from the CHNC Resuscitation Focus Group. They discuss the importance of clinical event debriefing in the NICU, sharing insights on using standardized debriefing forms to enhance resuscitation outcomes and address psychological safety. This team emphasizes a systems-based approach to improvement, fostering a culture of learning rather than blame. Tune in to learn about their impactful workshop and the tools available to support effective, compassionate debriefing practices.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna engage with Dr. Namrita Odackal and Dr. Sharada Gowda to explore the CHNC Fetal Therapy Focus Group’s initiatives. They discuss ongoing projects, including data collection on fetal interventions and the creation of “just-in-time” modules for NICU teams encountering rare fetal cases. Dr. Odackal and Dr. Gowda share insights on bridging knowledge gaps for practitioners and trainees, enhancing readiness, and expanding access to specialized care information. Tune in for a closer look at how these efforts are advancing neonatal and fetal care.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna sit down with Dr. Namrita Odackal and Dr. Lamia Soghier to discuss the transformative work of the CHNC Educational Advisory Committee. This team helps NICU professionals turn complex projects into impactful educational resources, covering topics from game-based learning to neonatal disaster preparedness. Dr. Odackal shares her unique contributions as a medical illustrator, and together, they explore how innovative educational practices support better outcomes for NICU patients, parents, and staff. Tune in to learn how this dynamic committee is advancing neonatal education.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna sit down with Monica Jones, Senior Family Consultant at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and NICU parent, to discuss the critical role of family voices in neonatal care. Monica shares insights from her work with CHNC, including a universal tool to address health disparities and support NICU families. She emphasizes the importance of personalized resources, Medicaid advocacy, and the unique challenges NICU families face. Tune in to hear Monica’s impactful journey from NICU parent to advocate, working to improve care and financial support for all families.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna sit down with Dr. Whitney Thompson and Dr. Theresa Grover to discuss the CHNC Mentored Fellow Research Award, a unique program supporting neonatal fellows in mastering large data registries. Dr. Grover explains the comprehensive support—from data analysis to mentorship—that equips fellows for impactful research. Dr. Thompson shares her experience studying neonatal onset urea cycle disorders, a rare and challenging diagnosis in the NICU. Learn about the importance of high suspicion for these disorders and how this program is advancing research in rare neonatal diseases.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!

Send us a textBen and Daphna speak with Dr. Mehul Raval, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at Lurie Children’s Hospital, about his work on enhancing neonatal surgical recovery. Dr. Raval shares insights from his presentation on implementing enhanced recovery protocols, emphasizing a holistic approach to surgery—covering preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases. From minimizing opioid use to involving parents in care, he outlines evidence-based practices aimed at reducing complications and improving outcomes. Join this conversation for a closer look at optimizing surgical recovery for neonatal patients.As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below. Enjoy!