Randi S Wasserman-Hoff, M.D.

Development of a statewide collaborative to decrease NICU central line-associated bloodstream infections
Schulman, J; Stricof, R L; Stevens, T P; Holzman, I R; Shields, E P; Angert, R M; Wasserman-Hoff, R S; Nafday, S M; Saiman, L
2009 Sep;29(9):591-599, Journal of perinatology
OBJECTIVE: To characterize hospital-acquired bloodstream infection rates among New York State's 19 regional referral NICUs (at regional perinatal centers; RPCs) and develop strategies to promote best practices to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). STUDY DESIGN: During 2006 and 2007, RPC NICUs reported bloodstream infections, patient-days and central line-days to the Department of Health, and shared their results. Aiming to improve, participants created a central line-care bundle based on visiting a potentially best performing NICU and reviewing the literature. RESULT: All 19 RPCs participated in this quality initiative, contributing 218,096 patient-days and 56,911 central line-days of observation. Individual RPC nosocomial sepsis infection (NI) rates ranged from 1.0 to 5.8 NIs per 1000 patient-days (2006), and CLABSI rates ranged from 2.6 to 15.1 CLABSIs per 1000 central line-days (2007). A six-fold rate variation among RPC NICUs was observed. Participants unanimously approved a level-1 evidence-based central line-care bundle. CONCLUSION: Individual RPC rates and consequent morbidity and resource use attributable to these infections were substantial and varied greatly. No center was without infections. It is hoped that the cooperation and accountability exhibited by the RPCs will result in a major network for characterizing performance and improving outcomes
— id: 120711, year: 2009, vol: 29, page: 591, stat: Journal Article,

Medical legal issues in the prevention of prematurity
Seubert, David E; Huang, William M; Wasserman-Hoff, Randi
2007 Jun;34(2):309-18, vii, Clinics in perinatology
Preterm birth remains the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the world today. This article discusses ways the treatment team can inform parents of probable outcomes and help them reach decisions about treatment for the newborn under emotionally fraught conditions. In addition to supporting the patient, these approaches may help the clinician avoid malpractice litigation
— id: 73853, year: 2007, vol: 34, page: 309, stat: Journal Article,

Developmental care: the impact of Wee Care developmental care training on short-term infant outcome and hospital costs
Hendricks-Munoz KD; Prendergast CC; Caprio MC; Wasserman RS
2002 ;2(1):39-45 Mar, Newborn & infant nursing reviews : NAINR
This article explores the effect of a comprehensive developmental care training program on the medical outcome and cost of care for premature infants. Premature infants less than 34 weeks' gestation admitted to 2 regional neonatal intensive care units were prospective studies 6 months before and after implementation of the Wee Care program (Children's Medical Ventures, Norwell, MA). Environment, medical outcome, and hospital charges were recorded. The sample consisted of 242 infants (139 pre- and 103 postintervention). Although the medical outcomes of chronic lung disease, infection rate, mild retinopathy of prematurity, and intraventricular hemorrhage were significantly decreased, there was no change in incidence of severe retinopathy of prematurity. Hospital stay and hospital costs were significantly decreased. The authors conclude that a multidisciplinary, structured program in developmental care can lead to alterations in the neonatal intensive care unit environment associated with improved medical outcome, decreased length of hospitalization, and decreased cost of care.
— id: 80322, year: 2002, vol: 2, page: 39, stat: Journal Article,

Percutaneous peritoneal drainage in the management of acute intestinal perforation
Atakent YS; Wasserman-Hoff R; Ozek E; Oygur N; Ginsburg HB
1997 Jan-Feb;17(1):46-51, Journal of perinatology
This case series describes the use of percutaneous peritoneal drainage when it is performed as the definitive treatment for acute intestinal perforation. Seven extremely low birth weight neonates who were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit of a regional center between March 1987 and October 1992 had acute intestinal perforation. Six neonates were initially treated with percutaneous peritoneal drainage while they were under local anesthesia. Despite reports that percutaneous peritoneal drainage alone can be curative in intestinal perforation, this approach without adjunctive surgery can delay the recovery of bowel integrity
— id: 7104, year: 1997, vol: 17, page: 46, stat: Journal Article,

In utero sonographic description of a fetal liver adenoma
Marks F; Thomas P; Lustig I; Greco MA; Raghavendra BN; Wasserman R
1990 Feb;9(2):119-122, Journal of ultrasound in medicine
— id: 66411, year: 1990, vol: 9, page: 119, stat: Journal Article,

CATASTROPHIC MULTIPLE EMBOLIC PHENOMENA IN A NEONATE
GUDAVALLI, M; ATAKENT, Y; WASSERMAN, R
1987 APR ;21(4):A362-A362, Pediatric research
— id: 51282, year: 1987, vol: 21, page: A362, stat: Journal Article,