The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing
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The death of a woman during pregnancy is devastating. Although the incidence of maternal cardiac arrest is increasing, it continues to be a comparatively rare event. Obstetric healthcare providers may go through their entire career without participating in a maternal cardiac resuscitation. ⋯ The Obstetric Life Support (ObLS) training program is a method of obstetric nursing and medical staff training that is relevant, comprehensive, and cost-effective. It takes into consideration both the care needs of the obstetric patient and the adult learning needs of providers. The ObLS program brings obstetric nurses, obstetricians, and anesthesiologists together in multidisciplinary team training that is crucial to developing efficient emergency response.
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Apr 2012
Neonatal resuscitation science, education, and practice: the role of the Neonatal Resuscitation Program.
For almost 25 years, the Neonatal Resuscitation Program of the American Academy of Pediatrics has provided educational tools that are used in the United States and throughout the world to teach neonatal resuscitation. Over that time period, the guidelines for resuscitation have been increasingly evidence-based and a formal system has been established to determine which steps should be updated on the basis of available information. The most recent update occurred in 2010. This article describes the evidence review process and the specific evidence that lead to a number of significant changes in practice that were included in the 2010 guidelines.
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Apr 2012
Advanced cardiovascular life support for the obstetric population: bridging the gap.
The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation advocates for rapid implementation of critical interventions to provide the best chance of survival for patients experiencing a cardiac arrest. Standard educational programs do not include population-specific interventions or modifications. This article provides information regarding how to use an established Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support program as the foundation on which to build a population-specific course. The purpose of creating this blended program is to meet the learning needs of the obstetric healthcare provider and standardize care across all settings, particularly in the perioperative and postanesthesia areas.
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Jan 2012
Oxytocin administration: the transition to a safer model of care.
The use of oxytocin, a high-alert medication, has increased dramatically in recent years as induction rates have risen. Methods for administration of oxytocin and subsequent outcomes have long been a source of debate. Furthermore, one of the leading causes of obstetrical liability claims involves the administration of oxytocin leading to tachysystole. ⋯ The goal of this initiative was to decrease risk exposure by successfully implementing a standardized evidence-based protocol and processes across the healthcare system. There has been implementation of standardized oxytocin mixtures, low-dose administration guidelines, and safety checklists to assure fetal and maternal well-being before initiation of oxytocin and increases in oxytocin dosages. The associated outcomes after this initiative have been shorter lengths of labor, decreased incidence of tachysystole, and decreased incidence of primary cesarean birth.