title: The Fetal Care Team: Care for Pregnant Women Carrying a Fetus with a Serious Diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women carrying a fetus with a suspected or known fetal anomaly have complex needs such as emotional and informational support and help with the logistical aspects of arranging care and treatment from numerous specialists. IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY OF CARE FOR WOMEN CARRYING A FETUS WITH A SUSPECTED OR KNOWN FETAL ANOMALY:: Our fetal care team was initiated in 2012 to meet the needs of this high-risk pregnant population. The fetal care team nurse coordinator supports the woman and her family through all aspects of care during the pregnancy and neonatal period including scheduling appointments with multiple specialists, being there with her as a support person, keeping her updated, making sure she has accurate information about the fetal diagnosis, and helping her to navigate the complex healthcare system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since the program was started, the number of women enrolled has nearly doubled. Women overwhelmingly are satisfied with the various services and care provided by the nurse coordinators and believe the fetal care team has value for them.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present the development and operations of our fetal care team with a focus on the role of the fetal care team nurse coordinator.
authors.affiliation: Margaret Loyet is Mercy Heart Prints Coordinator, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. She can be reached via e-mail at Margaret.Loyet@Mercy.Net Amy McLean is Fetal Care Coordinator, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. Karen Graham is Fetal Care Coordinator, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. Cheryl Antoine is Administrative Assistant, Fetal Care Team, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, MO. Kathy Fossick is Nurse Manager Maternal and Fetal Health Centers, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, St. Louis, MO.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loyet
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoine
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fossick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D008923:Missouri; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk / Q000523:psychology; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000078329:Workforce