A network of cradles interconnected by data streams, symbolizing real-time neonatal data analysis.

Neonatal Network Revolution: How Real-Time Data is Saving Lives

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how the Korean Neonatal Network's data display system is transforming neonatal care and what it means for the future of healthcare."

Neonatal research networks have become indispensable tools in modern medicine, driving advancements in neonatal care and outcomes worldwide. Modeled after pioneering efforts like the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Neonatal Research Network, these collaborative platforms enable large-scale studies and quality improvement initiatives that were once unimaginable.

Among these networks, the Vermont Oxford Network stands out as the largest, connecting over 1,000 neonatal intensive care units. More recently, international collaborations like the iNeo collaboration have emerged, linking national networks to analyze outcomes for vulnerable infants born very preterm (less than 32 weeks gestation).

At the heart of these networks lies a shared mission: to create extensive perinatal and neonatal databases and provide an infrastructure for network members to design impactful studies and quality improvement (QI) activities. In this context, the Korean Neonatal Network (KNN) has developed a real-time Data Display System (DDS) that provides vital statistical analyses of registered data, offering a glimpse into the future of neonatal care and research.

Unlocking Real-Time Insights: The Power of the KNN's Data Display System

A network of cradles interconnected by data streams, symbolizing real-time neonatal data analysis.

The KNN's Data Display System (DDS) offers a groundbreaking approach to data accessibility and analysis. Unlike traditional reporting systems that provide annual reports, the DDS allows network members to access interim analyses of registered data in real-time. This capability empowers researchers and clinicians to gain immediate insights, enabling timely interventions and informed decision-making.

Here’s how the KNN's DDS works:

Secure Access: Access is restricted to authorized users, including principal investigators, executive committee members, and web-page operators.
Comprehensive Data: The system provides access to both in-hospital data (90 variables) and follow-up data (54 variables).
Interactive Interface: Users can select variables of interest and view statistical results through interactive charts, graphs, and tables.
Performance Benchmarking: Participating hospitals can compare their performance against the KNN as a whole, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
Conditional Filtering: Users can filter data based on specific conditions, allowing for targeted analysis of specific patient populations.

This real-time access and interactive analysis represent a significant leap forward in neonatal care, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous quality improvement.

Future Directions: Enhancing the DDS for Greater Impact

While the KNN's DDS represents a significant advancement in neonatal care, there's always room for improvement. The authors emphasize the need for ongoing collaboration to upgrade the system, making it more sophisticated and user-friendly. This includes incorporating advanced analytical tools and refining the user interface to ensure ease of use.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3346/jkms.2015.30.s1.s12, Alternate LINK

Title: Real-Time Data Display System Of The Korean Neonatal Network

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Journal of Korean Medical Science

Publisher: Korean Academy of Medical Sciences

Authors: Byong Sop Lee, Wi Hwan Moon, Eun Ae Park

Published: 2015-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System and how does it improve neonatal care?

The Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System (DDS) is a real-time system that provides statistical analyses of registered data. It enables researchers and clinicians to access interim analyses, empowering them to gain immediate insights, make timely interventions, and make informed decisions. The DDS improves neonatal care by providing a means for continuous quality improvement and data-driven decision-making, which traditional reporting systems, providing only annual reports, cannot offer. It is important to note that while the DDS is a valuable tool, its effectiveness relies on continuous upgrades and collaborations to enhance sophistication and user-friendliness.

How does the Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System differ from traditional reporting systems in neonatal care?

Unlike traditional reporting systems, which typically provide annual reports, the Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System (DDS) allows network members to access interim analyses of registered data in real-time. This capability empowers researchers and clinicians to gain immediate insights, enabling timely interventions and informed decision-making. The DDS also facilitates performance benchmarking, allowing participating hospitals to compare their performance against the KNN as a whole, identifying trends and areas for improvement. Traditional systems lack this immediate, interactive feedback loop.

What security measures are in place for the Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System and who has access?

Access to the Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System (DDS) is restricted to authorized users, including principal investigators, executive committee members, and web-page operators. This secure access ensures that sensitive patient data is protected and only accessible to those who need it for research, quality improvement, and clinical decision-making. This limited access is paramount to maintaining patient confidentiality and data integrity.

Besides the Korean Neonatal Network, what other networks contribute to advancements in neonatal care?

Several neonatal research networks contribute to advancements in neonatal care. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Neonatal Research Network pioneered collaborative platforms for large-scale studies and quality improvement initiatives. The Vermont Oxford Network, the largest of these networks, connects over 1,000 neonatal intensive care units. Additionally, international collaborations like the iNeo collaboration link national networks to analyze outcomes for vulnerable infants born very preterm. Each network shares the mission to create extensive databases and provide infrastructure for impactful studies and activities.

What kind of data can be accessed via the Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System and how can it be used?

The Korean Neonatal Network's Data Display System (DDS) provides access to both in-hospital data (90 variables) and follow-up data (54 variables). This comprehensive data can be used to perform interactive analysis through charts, graphs, and tables. Users can select variables of interest, filter data based on specific conditions, and compare hospital performance against the KNN as a whole. This enables data-driven decision-making, continuous quality improvement, and targeted analysis of specific patient populations.