Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the usefulness of the HeRO system and to integrate and maintain this new technology by improving staff’s perceptions of the HeRO system.|Background: Neonatal sepsis continues to be a threat for increased mortality and morbidities for infants in the NICU. The HeRO system uses the concept of predictive monitoring by analyzing heart rate characteristics. The HeRO system, as an adjunct diagnostic tool, becomes clinically relevant when a systemic inflammatory response is in progress.|Sample/Setting: A Midwest NICU where infants were evaluated using HeRO scoring between October 2015- December 2018.|Methods: A retrospective chart review was done for all infants meeting criteria of an elevated HeRO score of > 4, a positive blood culture, and/or a diagnosis of NEC. Clinical qualities were examined at elevated HeRO score, positive blood culture, and/or NEC event, as well as management interventions.|Results: Of the 75 infants with elevated HeRO scores, 44% (33/75) had other simultaneous clinical events, such as IVH, BPD, or PDA. Infants with a high HeRO score and a positive blood culture were 20% (16/75). The infants with a high HeRO score >2.0 and a diagnosis of NEC were 87% (20/23). The sensitivity of the HeRO score > 4.0 for sepsis was 0.42. The sensitivity of the HeRO score > 2.0 for sepsis was 0.54.|Conclusion: Many of the infant with high HeRO scores had either sepsis/NEC or some other inflammatory disorder (IVH, BPD, or PDA). The high HeRO scores presented the providers with an additional tool to use in addition to clinical signs of sepsis. Further evaluation of specific infants from a prospective review would be advantageous to the continued usefulness of this highly, technologic tool.