Improving communication and coordination of complex perinatal patients.
Pregnant women with complex medical problems require comprehensive communication among members of their healthcare team. Using the Magnet Hospital model, our Patient and Perinatal Interprofessional Team at Seton Medical Center Austin focused on improving communication and patient satisfaction by initiating Perinatal Patient Care Conferences. Pregnant women with medical or obstetric complications and their families became a part of care plan development prior to admission to promote consistent communication and excellent care. We report our 7-year history of proactive meetings with pregnant women and their families in a nonclinical environment to discuss diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. A collaborative written plan of care is developed that accommodates the woman's needs and wishes and is then disseminated among the healthcare team. This process has decreased women's and caregivers' anxiety and supported a culture of safety across the continuum of care.
Sara Gordon is a Labor & Delivery Nurse, Seton Medical Center, Austin, TX. Joan Aydam is Perinatal Case Manager, Seton Medical Center, Austin, TX. Kenna Hamm is a Perinatal Social Worker, Seton Medical Center, Austin, TX. She can be reached via e-mail at kahamm@seton.org Morgan Rocha is a Labor & Delivery Nurse, Seton Medical Center, Austin, TX. Andrea Northcut is Perinatal Chaplain, Seton Medical Center, Austin, TX. Becky Roberson is Neonatal Case Manager, Seton Medical Center, Austin, TX. Marilyn Shook is Perinatal Case Manager, University Medical Center Brackenridge, Austin, TX.
Sara
S
Gordon
Joan
J
Aydam
Kenna
K
Hamm
Morgan
M
Rocha
Andrea
A
Northcut
Becky
B
Roberson
Marilyn
M
Shook
D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009736:Nursing Process; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D013781:Texas