Standardizing criteria for scheduling elective labor inductions.
Induction of labor has become routine practice in perinatal units across the United States, with rates reaching a high of 21.2% of births in 2003-2004. This article describes the process our institution used to standardize the criteria for scheduling inductions. Specifically, we aimed to increase the consistency in practice for scheduling and performing elective inductions, including mandating gestational age of 39 completed weeks, ensuring cervical ripeness, and disallowing the use of cervical ripening agents. The nurses' participation, from planning to implementation, was critical in the success of this evidence-based practice change.
Durham
Laurel
L
Providence Health and Services Women and Children's Program, Portland, OR, USA. Laurel.durham@providence.org
Veltman
Larry
L
Davis
Peggy
P
Ferguson
Linda
L
Hacker
Margaret
M
Hooker
Debra
D
Larison
Kristine
K
Pribyl
Jennifer
J
Twilleager
Karen
K
Van Hout
Gretchen
G
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D020070:Cervical Ripening; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015401:Nursing Administration Research; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D009922:Oregon; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018579:Patient Selection; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors