Partnership enhances safety for smallest patients
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A new partnership withWomen & Infants Hospital adds a new level of safety for newborns and their moms.
Women & Infants Hospital of Providence, RI, provides expert neonatal care in the Birthing Center as part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to patient safety. This includes neonatal nurse practitioners fromWomen & Infants on staff at Backus to provide support for caesarean sections and high-risk deliveries. Women & Infants is one of the nation’s leading specialty hospitals for women and newborns.
The primary teaching affiliate of the Warren AlpertMedical School of Brown University for Obstetrics, gynecology and newborn pediatrics,Women & Infants is the 10th largest obstetrical service in the country, with more than 9,700 deliveries per year. In 2003, Brown University andWomen & Infants were named a National Center of Excellence inWomen's Health by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Maureen Loughrey, APRN, clinical director of The Dr. Frederick S. Eadie Birthing Center, said the partnership has been an integral part of improving safety with high-risk deliveries at the hospital.
“It has been a great benefit to have someone on hand as an active member of the team with this expertise,” she said.
Maureen McCourt, neonatal nurse practitioner supervisor fromWomen & Infants, said Backus is one of four hospitals where they provide support for high-risk deliveries.Women & Infants has the highest level neonatal intensive care unit. Infants also can be transferred to the unit from Backus if needed.
In addition to high risk deliveries, neonatal nurse practitioners help provide care to newborns in the birthing center.
“We work with the obstetricians, pediatricians, nurses and staff in the unit,”Ms. McCourt said. “The affiliation is great for both institutions. Everyone at Backus has been very supportive of the program.”
David Kalla,MD, acting Chairman of the Division of Surgical Services, works with the Woman & Infants nurses daily.
“The program has been a great benefit for the coordination and care of sick infants,” he said. “It also has been great educationally for our nurses; it makes them more comfortable with handling sick babies.”
Ms.Loughrey said that the Birthing Center nurses are specially trained in Neonatal Resuscitation for infants, STABLE Certification (stabilization of the newborn), Adult Cardiac Life Support for adults and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
“Because our nurses work in all the different areas of the Birthing Center, we must be specially trained to provide care in the CSection room, labor and delivery, out-patient ante-partum/triage, postpartum and infant and special care nursery and care of our gynecological patients,” said Andrea Dameron, RN, lactation consultant and educator. “This means that we are always learning and improving our care though conferences, trainings, emergency drills and teamwork.”
An Obstetrical Response Team was also started in December. This is a team of specially trained staff members who respond immediately in an emergency situation. The hospital has had a Rapid Response Team In place since 2005, but this one is OB-specific to deal with the unique situations the birthing center encounters.
Another initiative includes the Family Resource Team in which area agencies meet together monthly to discuss ways to better meet the needs of the community. From this meeting the Dr. Dad program was formulated, which teaches new fathers or fathers-to-be safety and care of newborns.
“This expedites the safe delivery of our infants and care of our patients,” said Ms. Loughrey. “The center has really grown and our training continues to increase to ensure the safe care of all of our patients.”
The Birthing Center also offers:
Dr. Dad program: A four-week program for fathers-to-be is offered through a partnership with Madonna Place. Each week focuses on a different topic, such as the well child, the sick child, the injured child and the safe child - all to help fathers become the best dads they can be. The curriculum is part of the National Fatherhood Initiative. “When fathers are involved, illness and accidents are greatly reduced,” said Ms. Dameron. “We have seen great results from those who have been in the class, even during the delivery.” The program, in its second year, is being offered this month.
Infant-Child CPR: For parents and parents to-be in the instruction of CPR for infants and children. There is a $35 per couple or $20 per person fee for this program and registration is required. Class size is limited.
Nurturing Your Newborn—An Infant Care Class: This two-hour class teaches about newborn behavior, tests and procedures in the hospital, and how to care for your baby in the first few days at home. Program is free, registration is required.
Prenatal Parenting Class: This new program, a partnership with the Madonna Place, is a 10-week program for parents-to-be that guides them through their changing roles. It covers, nutrition, safety, infant massage, relaxation, communication and more.
For a complete listing of programs, including various childbirth education classes and tours of the center, call 425-3863. Also see a list of birthing center programs at the end of this issue of Healthy Connections, or at backushospital.org/calendar