| Primary Author: | Sherrie Lee Karleskind, BSN, RN, RNC-MNN |
| Co-Principal Investigators/Collaborators: | Sharon McElroy |
| Organization: | El Camino Hospital |
Abstract
Background
Historically, our Magnet community hospital had delivered care for moms and babies in two separate maternity and nursery units. Staff valued unit-specific expertise and believed our patients were highly satisfied with their ability to choose nursery care for their baby rather than rooming in.
Purpose
Our Maternal Child Services had bedside nurses lead an evidence based review of best practice to determine if their existing separate care model should be maintained.
Materials & Methods
A shared governance committee led by two direct care nurses and comprised of staff nurses and managers from all of the units worked together on the investigation. After review of the literature, a Family Centered Care model was chosen to improve parental outcomes for readiness to care for infants, preparation of parents for care of their newborns after discharge, and teamwork among staff. The nurses adopted a single care giver couplet (mother/baby) care model. Central to the plan was the elimination of all unnecessary separation of moms and babies. Implementation plans included obtaining staff input, providing for the emotional and educational needs of staff, changing work flows, and creating a time line for changes. Key to the success of implementation was staff confidence in skills to deliver care and education in this new couplet environment. RNs completed a self-evaluation of the defined skill sets needed for this practice change.
Results
By the end of the training period 100% of RN staff successfully transitioned from novice(no experience) to experienced(familiar and capable) in identified competencies necessary for implementation to couplet care. Initial satisfaction markers measured pre/post implementation show a slight increase in patient’s confidence and trust in nursing staff, and patients receiving enough baby care information.
Conclusion
Successful transformation of knowledge to best practice was accomplished. We hope that over time there will be more significant improvement in outcomes for patient satisfaction and patient confidence in ability to care for their babies.
© Improvement Science Research Network, 2011