Improving Communication to Neonatal Resuscitation Team Members During High-Risk Births.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether implementation of a written communication tool in labor and delivery during high-risk births improves communication, preparation, and satisfaction of responding neonatal resuscitation team members. DESIGN: Quality improvement project with a pretest and posttest design. SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: Two labor and delivery units and a third labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum unit within a health care system in the southeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and physicians who are part of the neonatal resuscitation team. INTERVENTIONS/MEASUREMENTS: A researcher-designed, written communication tool titled the High-Risk Delivery Communication Tool was implemented in the settings. A researcher-designed measurement tool titled the Neonatal High-Risk Delivery Communication Scale was used as a before-and-after survey to measure communication to the neonatal resuscitation team, preparation for high-risk births, and satisfaction with communication from labor and delivery nurses. RESULTS: Findings from all portions of the Neonatal High-Risk Delivery Communication Scale indicated statistically significant improvements in communication, preparation, and neonatal resuscitation team member neonatal resuscitation team satisfaction while attending high-risk births. Scores improved on every item regarding hand-off, risk factor communication, preparation, and satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Implementing a communication tool for use in high-risk births may improve communication to neonatal resuscitation team members, enhance preparation for neonatal care, and increase team members' satisfaction with interprofessional communication.

Influences of Antenatal Smoking Cessation Education on Smoking Rates of Incarcerated Women.

The project purpose was to examine the impact of smoking cessation education, targeting associated antenatal risks on smoking rates in female prisoners of childbearing age. The project used a pre-/postdesign for the assessment of awareness of antenatal smoking risks and smoking habits and was conducted at a female state prison in the Southeastern United States. Data analysis resulting from a comparison of means of tests identified knowledge increases posteducation. Qualitative data collected pre- and postintervention identified changes in smoking habits. The educational intervention effectively increased participant knowledge of antenatal smoking risks and resulted in a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked daily.