Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Formalizing A High-Risk Obstetrical Initiative: Focus—Hypertensive Disorders, Elena Vulgamott Rodrigue

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background: Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy have a detrimental effect on maternal and fetal outcomes, causing low birth weights, preterm births, and stillbirths. During pregnancy, hypertensive disorders affect up to 13% of all pregnancies and make up 10% of all maternal mortality in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019). Purpose: The purpose of this DNP project was to implement and standardize a high-risk obstetrical initiative for hypertensive mothers. Summary of Evidence: Data suggest that increased education and increased surveillance for high-risk obstetric patients decreases the need for obstetric services and decreases the evolution of hypertensive …

Pregnancy Bridge Program For Psychiatric Patients, Adam Barnett

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The National Institute of Mental Health (2017) estimates that 9.2 million people age 18 years and older are diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the United States. Research has shown pregnancies in women with mental health problems have higher rates of poor outcomes and complications (Epstein et al., 2014; Freeman, 2007; Rusner et al., 2016; Scrandis, 2017). Aim. The purpose of this scholarly project is to provide standardized patient education, increase urine human chorionic gonadotropin screening rates, and to set up a gynecologic care bridge for patients considering pregnancy and are diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Evidence. The Centers for …

A Quality Improvement Project To Facilitate A Human Trafficking Screening Protocol At A Maternal Resource Center, Jessica Mcdow

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Human trafficking is a global, criminal industry that negatively impacts the health of victims. Most U.S. victims of human trafficking are young females. Many female sex trafficking victims will seek health care services for unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Healthcare professionals fail to identify human trafficking victims due to lack of standardized screening. The aim of the project was to initiate a sustainable, standardized human trafficking screening protocol at a Maternal Resource Center in order to improve human trafficking identification.

This 10-week quality improvement project provided the staff and volunteers at a Maternal Resource Center with the necessary tools …