The Incubator

Send us a textIn this episode, Ben and Daphna welcome the CHNC team—Anthony Piazza, Eugenia Pallotto, and Beverly Brozanski—to discuss quality improvement (QI) priorities in neonatal care. They delve into how QI initiatives at CHNC set project priorities and leverage data to support patient outcomes across diverse NICUs. From the challenges of Project Home, aimed at increasing breastfeeding at discharge, to exploring social determinants of health, this episode highlights the power of collaborative QI in addressing real-life challenges for NICU families and standardizing care practices nationwide.Support the showAs 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 Dr. Briana Bertoni to discuss the CIQI Fellowship, a unique program for advancing quality improvement in neonatal care. Dr. Bertoni explains how the fellowship equips participants with hands-on experience in project development and implementation across diverse NICUs. From defining project metrics to learning the intricacies of nationwide QI initiatives, Dr. Bertoni shares insights into the mentorship and collaboration that make this fellowship a standout experience. Listen to learn more about the critical role of CIQI in neonatal quality improvement and how fellows contribute to transformative care.Support the showAs 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. Aaron Hamvas from Lurie Children’s Hospital about his research on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and its potential genetic factors. Dr. Hamvas discusses the complexities of BPD, including the role genetics might play in predisposing infants to the condition. He introduces the “Leopard Project,” a new NIH-funded study using AI and novel genomics techniques to explore long-term respiratory outcomes in preterm infants. Join the conversation for insights into how genetics and advanced data analysis could redefine our understanding of BPD and its lifelong impacts.Support the showAs 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 dive into neonatal point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) with Dr. Sharada Gowda and Dr. Karena Lawrence, leaders of the CHNC POCUS Focus Group. They discuss the rapid expansion of POCUS in neonatology, highlighting the collaborative efforts to build standards for data collection, quality assurance, and program development. From hemodynamic assessment to creating a foundation for cross-center data sharing, Dr. Gowda and Dr. Lawrence share the challenges and exciting potential of POCUS in neonatal care. Tune in for a closer look at this transformative field.Support the showAs 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 chat with Dr. Monti Sharma from Children’s Nebraska, who shares his expertise on neonatal interventional bronchoscopy and the evolving role of pulmonology in the NICU. Dr. Sharma explains how advances in portable, flexible bronchoscopy equipment are allowing safer, bedside airway evaluations, potentially reducing the need for tracheostomies in certain infants with BPD. Highlighting the dynamic assessments this technology provides, he offers a glimpse into the future of neonatal airway management. Tune in to explore the groundbreaking ways neonatology and pulmonology are converging to enhance respiratory care.Support the showAs 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 Sofia Perazzo and Jenny Rumpel to explore the advancements in kidney care at the CHNC. Sofia and Jenny highlight their work on renal replacement therapy (RRT) and NIRS, discussing new FDA-approved technologies and the push to standardize kidney monitoring in neonates. This conversation emphasizes the essential collaboration between neonatologists and nephrologists to address kidney injury and congenital renal disease more effectively. Tune in to hear how these advancements are shaping the future of neonatal kidney care and creating opportunities for improved patient outcomes.Support the showAs 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 textIn part two of their conversation, Ben and Daphna delve deeper with Sofia Perazzo and Jenny Rumpel on the findings from the “Advance” study on neonatal kidney care. They discuss disparities in acute kidney injury (AKI) across ethnic groups, the need for standardized diagnostics, and the importance of early AKI recognition in the NICU. Sofia and Jenny emphasize how data integration from CHND and EHR is setting a foundation to address kidney injury proactively. Listen in to learn how this research is shaping a future of better awareness and intervention in neonatal renal care.Support the showAs 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 textJoin Ben and Daphna as they kick off 48 hours of live coverage from the Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium (CHNC) symposium in Denver! With a focus on collaboration and innovation, CHNC brings together neonatal professionals to brainstorm, exchange high-quality data, and spark impactful projects. From updates on the Children’s Hospital Neonatal Database (CHND) to conversations with leaders in the field, this episode sets the stage for insightful interviews and the vibrant energy of the CHNC. Don’t miss out as The Incubator team connects with attendees and dives deep into neonatal care developments. Available on our YouTube and podcast channels!Support the showAs 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 textIn this special episode, Ben and Daphna speak with Christine Stoops and Kara Short, who share insights from their CHNC pre-symposium workshop on renal care in the NICU. Christine and Kara discuss the evolving field of kidney support therapy, highlighting the importance of a shared language between neonatologists and nephrologists. From real-life case scenarios to advancements in renal replacement technology, they explore the strides made in neonatal kidney support. Tune in for a dynamic conversation on bridging communication gaps and fostering collaborative care to improve outcomes for our most vulnerable patients.Support the showAs 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 textIn this episode of The Incubator, hosts Ben and Daphna are joined by Dr. Shetal Shah and Stephanie Glier, Director of Federal Advocacy for the American Academy of Pediatrics, to discuss the critical issue of continuous Medicaid coverage for children. The conversation dives deep into how Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) support approximately 50% of all U.S. children, with particular emphasis on how these programs benefit children with complex medical needs, such as those in the NICU. Dr. Shah highlights the importance of reducing coverage "churn," where children lose and regain coverage repeatedly, which can severely impact their care. Stephanie explains the changes in federal and state policies, including the new requirement for states to provide a minimum of 12 months of continuous coverage for children under Medicaid and CHIP. The discussion also touches on the significant advocacy efforts required to protect and expand these programs, with practical advice on how healthcare providers can get involved in their states. This episode emphasizes the critical role Medicaid plays in ensuring continuous, uninterrupted care for the most vulnerable children and encourages neonatologists to advocate for better healthcare coverage on both local and national levels. Support the showAs 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!