South West project informs updated NICE neonatal infection guidance
Updated neonatal infection guidance published by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) now supports earlier discharge for some babies receiving antibiotic treatment, allowing care to continue safely at home with ongoing clinical support.
The updated recommendations were informed in part by evidence from the NOAH (Neonatal Oral Antibiotics at Home) project pilot in Devon, which demonstrated that babies completing antibiotic treatment at home could experience shorter hospital stays while maintaining safe outcomes.
So far, outcomes from NOAH have included:
- Improved patient experience: Reducing hospital stays allows families to care for their newborns in a more comfortable home environment, enhancing bonding and supporting breastfeeding
- Reduced length of hospital admission: Freeing up hospital capacity and keeping families together
- Cost savings: Significant reductions in hospital costs related to extended stays, medication, and equipment use
- Environmental impact: Reduced travel and lower hospital resource consumption results in reduced carbon emissions
As referenced by NICE, the NOAH project found that this approach reduced hospital stays by an average of 2.7 days per baby and could benefit up to 12,000 babies annually if adopted nationally.
The guidance represents an important step towards more family-centred neonatal care, helping reduce time spent in hospital for babies and families while easing pressure on NHS neonatal services.
Find out more about the NOAH project and our work supporting healthcare innovation in neonatal care here.
