Advancing

EVIDENCE BASED CARE

Transforming outcomes through data, innovation and real-world evidence for substance-exposed infants

Research to Innovation

At NASCEND, research is core to our mission of changing how the world cares for opioid-exposed newborns. Our work bridges frontline practice and scientific rigor to evaluate real-world outcomes, strengthen clinical quality, standardize care and scale interventions that guide better beginnings for infants and families. We focus on high-burden and under-resourced settings while ensuring broad applicability across diverse care environments.

Featured Study

Digital Health Technology Reduces Treatment Days and Medication Use in Opioid-Exposed Newborns
Authors: K. Dawn Forbes, MD, MS; Christine Cooper, MSN, NNP-BC; Christina Waldon, BSN
Poster presented at: Hot Topics in Neonatology, Washington, DC — December 2025
Affiliation: NASCEND PBC, Louisville, Kentucky

Outcomes at a Glance

Pre-AssessPro vs AssessPro
47%
7%
Treated with Morphine (%)
16
7.2
Length of Treatment (days)
11.9
4.8
Length of Hospital Stay, All OEN (days)
Pre-AssessPro AssessPro

Abstract

Population: 222 OEN ≥36 weeks gestation
Download Abstract

Objective

To evaluate whether digitizing an existing manual assessment and treatment process into a mobile app (AssessPro) - while keeping the same 6-symptom assessment and responsive dual-medication algorithm - further improved outcomes for opioid-exposed newborns (OEN) compared to the original manual implementation.

Methods

Brief

A pre-post cohort comparison of the manual, paper-based process (pre-AssessPro) versus the digitized mobile app version (AssessPro). Both groups followed the same standardized protocol; the only difference was manual vs. app-based delivery of the assessment and treatment algorithm.

Key Findings

  • Morphine use dropped from 47.0% to 7.0% (85%, p<0.001).
  • Treatment days decreased from 16.0 to 7.2 days (55%, p=0.002).
  • Hospital stay for all OEN decreased from 11.9 to 4.8 days (60%, p<0.001).
  • Improvements occurred despite more complex polysubstance exposures in the AssessPro group.

Discussion

Use of a point-of-care digital tool improved standardization and significantly reduced treatment duration, medication use, and hospital stay for OENs, even in the context of increased exposure complexity. AssessPro shows promise as a scalable solution for reducing practice variation and improving outcomes. Broader validation is warranted.

Partner with NASCEND

We collaborate with hospitals, universities, and research teams to advance evidence-based care for substance-affected pregnancies and opioid-exposed newborns.

To explore research partnerships, data-sharing opportunities, or joint studies, contact us.

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