Review Article - Current Pediatric Research (2025) Volume 29, Issue 2

Diagnostic stewardship and reasoning for the management of neonatal sepsis.

The healthcare system faces numerous challenges and contradictions when it comes to preventable or treatable sepsis in newborns. Diagnostic errors, testing methods and clinical management approaches significantly contribute to the high morbidity and mortality rates associated with neonatal sepsis. These issues persistently trouble healthcare providers, prompting recent efforts to introduce diagnostic stewardship and reasoning as effective strategies to enhance neonatal outcomes. Diagnostic stewardship is a new concept aimed at streamlining the healthcare system and optimizing diagnostic pathways for neonatal sepsis diagnosis. It focuses on determining the reasons, timing and necessity of diagnostic tests and procedures. Consequently, diagnostic stewardship plays a critical role in ensuring accurate diagnoses for newborns when needed. Practical application of this concept has shown positive results when combined with computerized clinical decision support tools, direct feedback and real-time evaluations. Evidence consistently demonstrates the significant impact of diagnostic stewardship in saving lives, reducing medical expenses and improving survival rates for newborns. The implementation of diagnostic stewardship strategies has resulted in tangible benefits for healthcare outcomes, despite facing notable challenges that hinder its integration into clinical practice. Overcoming these obstacles is essential for realizing the full potential of diagnostic stewardship in enhancing healthcare outcomes. In conclusion, while diagnostic stewardship and reasoning offer promising improvements in diagnosing neonatal sepsis, their successful integration into healthcare systems requires substantial effort and thorough implementation research. By adopting these approaches and facilitating their implementation, healthcare systems can improve newborn health, lower costs and ultimately save more newborn lives.

Author(s):

Daniel Geleta*, Gemeda Abebe, Netsanet Workneh, Getenet Beyene

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