Reduction of post-operative opioid use in neonates following open congenital diaphragmatic hernia repairs: A quality improvement initiative

Quality improvement initiative successfully reduced postoperative opioid use in neonates after CDH repair from 82.2 mg/kg to 2.9 mg/kg using IV acetaminophen protocols and standardized team communication, without increasing pain scores. The intervention also shortened postoperative intubation time from 156 to 44 hours while maintaining equivalent safety profiles.