Christine Bixby

Dr. Christine Bixby


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

11Years (2016-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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11 March 2019 in Pediatric Research
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Journal Article
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JHJennifer Hahn-Holbrook
Jennifer Hahn-Holbrook
DSDarby Saxbe
Darby Saxbe
CBChristine Bixby
Christine Bixby
CSCaroline Steele
Caroline Steele
LGLaura Glynn
Laura Glynn

22 February 2016 in Breastfeeding Medicine
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Journal Article
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CBChristine Bixby
Christine Bixby
CBCindy Baker-Fox
Cindy Baker-Fox
CDCrystal Deming
Crystal Deming
VDVijay Dhar
Vijay Dhar
CSCaroline Steele
Caroline Steele
Background: Mothers of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants often struggle to establish and maintain a milk supply. Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC Children's) data from 2005 to 2011 showed that while the total percentage of all neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) babies being discharged on breastmilk had remained stable, the percentage of VLBW babies with breastmilk at discharge had declined. This information resulted in a quality improvement initiative to remove barriers and implement programs shown to have the greatest impact on initiating and sustaining lactation in this patient subset. The objective of this initiative was to increase breastmilk availability at discharge for the VLBW population. Materials and Methods: A multidisciplinary program was initiated, which included NICU parent and staff education, clarification of roles, and improved access to pumping supplies. Physicians and nurses completed online education. An algorithm defining roles in lactation support was developed, and a resource team of trained bedside nurses was formed. Lactation consultant time was then refocused on the VLBW population. In addition, “Lactation Support” was added to the physician daily documentation to bring the topic to daily bedside rounds. Twice weekly lactation rounds between the lactation consultant and neonatologist addressed lactation concerns for each dyad. To address pumping issues, the loaner pump program was enhanced. Results: To assess the effectiveness of the initiative, breastmilk availability at discharge for the VLBW population at CHOC Children's was compared from baseline (2011) to the end of June 2015. VLBW breastmilk availability at discharge upon project initiation was 58.7% and increased by 36% to a final rate of 80% by 2013—a rate sustained through the first 6 months of 2015. Conclusions: The results of this initiative suggest that a multidisciplinary approach, including education, changes in workflow, and redefinition of roles, is effective in improving breastmilk rates at discharge in the VLBW patient population.

1 October 2021 in Nutrition in Clinical Practice
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Journal Article
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CSCaroline Steele
Caroline Steele
CBChristine Bixby
Christine Bixby