1. Virginia Nicu early intervention collaborative
An initiative funded by the Virginia board for people with disabilities (VBPD)
Betsy Cole Archer
VHHA, Director of Performance Improvement
Abraham Segres
VHHA, VP Quality & Patient Safety

2. VHHA & VHREF - Who are we? Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association
Virginia Hospital Research & Education Foundation
Non-profit foundation
Alliance of 107 hospitals and 30 health systems in Virginia
The Center for Healthcare Excellence
Improve healthcare by assisting members to achieve top-tier performance in quality, safety, & service

3. What are we trying to accomplish?
The Virginia NICU Early Intervention Collaborative (the Collaborative) will achieve systems change of practice and improvement in outcomes for all infants and young children by engaging all Virginia NICUs and their community partners in a statewide learning and improvement collaborative to enhance linkages to Early Intervention (EI) services for NICU patients and families.
Improve/expand NICU referrals and follow up
Enhance policies, practices & competencies
Develop training models

4. Program overview 18 month program – October 2016 – May 2018
Involvement of individuals with developmental and other disabilities
Patient & Family Advisory Council (PFAC)
Guides the work of the collaborative
Who are we helping?
Infants and young children with disabilities in VA
Virginia NICU staff, including nurses, social workers, etc.
Community support/service agencies to coordinate care for children and families

5. How will we achieve our aim?

6. Commitment from stakeholders
Hospital commitment
Partnership with Part C Administrator
Establish an Advisory Council
Utilize a Patient & Family Advisory Council
Voice of the patient and family is essential!

7. NICU Facilities in Virginia
Bon Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital
Bon Secours Memorial Regional Medical Center
Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center
Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Centra Health
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Chippenham Hospital
Henrico Doctors' Hospital - Forest
Inova Alexandria Hospital
Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
Inova Fairfax Hospital
Inova Loudoun Hospital
Johnston-Willis Hospital
Mary Washington Hospital
Reston Hospital Center
Riverside Regional Medical Center
Sentara Norfolk General Hospital
Sentara Princess Anne Hospital
Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center
University of Virginia Medical Center
Valley Health Winchester Medical Center
VCU Health System
Virginia Hospital Center

8. How do we know there’s a need to improve?
Perform needs assessment
Collect baseline data
Perform gap analysis
Develop change package

9. What changes can we make that will result in an improvement?
Review and optimize policies/procedures
Design and conduct training programs

10. Monitor outcomes & spread success
Collaboratives allow participants to:
Spread evidence-based best practices
Shared learning via virtual events
Monitor outcomes through data

11. The power of stories…

13. Questions?
Please contact Betsy Cole Archer at