title: Infections during the postpartum period.
abstract: Postpartum infections are costly in terms of delayed mother-infant interaction; lactation difficulties; prolonged hospital stay or readmittance to the hospital and increased expense; and possible permanent injury or death. The nurse is in a unique position to identify the woman at risk, recognize early warning signs, and provide teaching and counseling for prevention and care. Shortened hospital stays challenge the nurse to develop, research, and discover funding for new interventions to provide care and teaching to minimize the effects of this problem.
authors.affiliation: Maternal Child Health Department, Augusta Medical Center, Fishersville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors