The impact of Kaizen approach on neurodevelopmental follow-up of high-risk infants

ABSTRACT

Kaizen methodology was implied as a tool for analyzing the current workflow, defining opportunities, developing a solution, and measuring the outcome. The current study aims to verify the early effect of a quality improvement study within the scope of the Kaizen approach to improve the quality of high-risk infant care. Initially, a value stream map was used to define the current follow-up plan. Then, a specific outpatient clinic was established with a standard follow-up schedule. The high-risk infants were evaluated with the same tools at the same corrected ages, and the multidisciplinary team performed appropriate family education. The early outcome was evaluated by Parents’ Satisfaction Levels with High-Risk Infant Care Questionnaire and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form. Thirty-four parents were included. The mean corrected age of the infants was 140.07 ± 146.55 days. Parents’ satisfaction scores were improved from 99.79 ± 17.17–121.61 ± 15.33 (P = 0.000), while perceived stress scores were decreased (98.03 ± 23.55 vs 86.18 ± 20.95), (P = 0.001). The main stages of the quality improvement process were described. The current research presents the preliminary results of a Kaizen implementation for neurodevelopmental follow-up of high-risk infants.

KEYWORDS:

• high-risk infant
• neurodevelopmental follow-up
• quality improvement
• value stream map
• Kaizen

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to Mr Oguzhan Kestik for his professional support during the presentation of the Value Stream Map. They also would like to thank the children and families who participated in this study for their time.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Merve Kurt

Merve Kurt works as a research assistant in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation at Izmir Katip Celebi University. She is continuing her PhD studies.

Defne Engur

Defne Engur is an associate professor who specializes in child health diseases and neonatology. She is in charge of the Tepecik Training and Research Hospital Newborn Clinic as an administrator.

Pinar Gencpinar

Pinar Gencpinar works in the field of pediatric neurology as an associate professor. She works at Izmir Katip Celebi University as a lecturer and pediatric neurologist.

Mine Inal Akkaya

Mine Inal Akkaya works at Tepecik Training and Research Hospital as a child development specialist.

Derya Ozer Kaya

Derya Ozer Kaya is a professor at the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation of Izmir Katip Celebi University and is the head of this department. She is also the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Izmir Katip Celebi University.

Nihal Olgac Dundar

Nihal Olgac Dundar is a professor in the field of pediatric neurology. She works at Izmir Katip Celebi University as a lecturer and pediatric neurologist.