Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

Improving Interdisciplinary Communication And Collaboration With The Standardization Of Doula Care Through An Informatics Tool, Shela Le

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The 22-bed Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their scope of practice, or communicate the value of the services they provide. To address this gap, the team implemented a standardized doula awareness poster that included each doula’s name, photo, years of experience, and personal interests. Aim: The goal is to enhance visibility and promote integration of doula support to strengthen team collaboration and patient engagement. Methods: A pre- and post-implementation survey was distributed exclusively to the volunteer doulas. After the doula awareness poster was displayed for a month, a post-survey assessed these …

Implementing A Standardized Doula Awareness Tool To Improve Team Collaboration And Patient Understanding, Stephanie Wong

Master's Projects and Capstones

Setting: 22-bed, Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit in the Bay Area serving diverse birthing patients. Problem & Context: The unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their roles, or communicate their value. Evidence shows that doulas feel unseen by other hospital staff (Kett et al., 2022) and report that their role can be misunderstood, undervalued, or unrecognized, creating barriers to effective partnership (Louis-Jacques et al., 2024). Pre-survey: Only 19.2% of the participating volunteer doulas felt patients understood their role as a doula, and 11.5% felt patients were only slightly knowledgeable. In terms of collaboration, just 15.4% felt consistently …

Standardizing Care: Strengthening Dka Protocol Implementation Among Emergency Department Nurses, Toni Joy Angelique Biliran Miculob

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The objective of this project was to address the inconsistent understanding and utilization of the Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) protocol in a high-acuity emergency department within a large hospital system, where baseline survey results showed that 84% of nurses found the DKA order set confusing and only 15% felt “very comfortable” applying it.

Aim: The aim was to improve nurse clarity, confidence, and consistency in using the DKA protocol to support timely, evidence-based management of this high-risk, time-sensitive condition.

Methods: The intervention consisted of brief, targeted education delivered during pre-shift huddles across day and night shifts, focusing …

Promoting Interprofessional Collaboration By Increasing Visibility Of Volunteer Doula Services, Ciera Rose Zelie

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The 22-bed Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their scope of practice, or communicate the value of the services they provide. To address this gap, the team developed a standardized doula awareness poster featuring each doula's name, photo, years of experience, and personal interests. Aim: Enhance visibility and promote the integration of doula support to strengthen team collaboration and patient engagement. Methods: A pre- and post-implementation survey was distributed exclusively to the volunteer doulas. After the doula awareness poster was displayed for four weeks, a post-survey assessed these same domains to determine …

Improving Doula Visibility And Integration In The Labor & Delivery Unit Through The Implementation Of Creative Standardized Visual Strategies, Ninna Alessandra Arcena Acebedo

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The 22-bed, Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their scope of practice, or communicate the value of the services they provide. To address this gap, the team implemented a standardized doula awareness poster that included each doula’s name, photo, years of experience, and personal interests. Aim: The goal is to enhance visibility and promote integration of doula support to strengthen team collaboration and patient engagement. Methods: A pre- and post- implementation survey was distributed exclusively to the volunteer doulas. After the doula awareness poster was displayed for four weeks, …

Impact Of Interprofessional Collaboration On Nurses And Occupational Therapists In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Beverly Murphy, Marissa Casamento, Abigail Fleming, Anna Gomolski, Camryn Labrador

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose

This study explores the impact of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) between nurses and occupational therapists (OTs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It investigates the process of collaboration and stakeholder perceptions of interprofessional teamwork. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of IPC in the NICU setting, specifically between nurses and OTs, and to identify barriers that might hinder optimal collaboration.

Methods

A single survey instrument was distributed via social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and completed by 47 participants (21 Nurses, 26 Occupational therapists). The survey, created using REDCap, included scaled items …

Implementation Of An Institution-Specific Checklist To Improve Compliance With Discharge Round Completion In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Lee A. Lawson

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Effective discharge planning for premature infants in the NICU requires collaboration and coordination among multidisciplinary interprofessional (IP) teams. Ineffective communication during care transitions is a well-documented contributor to adverse patient outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization.

PICOT: For multidisciplinary, interprofessional teams in the NICU (P), how does the introduction of an institution-specific discharge checklist (I), compared to the current unit discharge process (C), affect multidisciplinary, interprofessional team compliance with completing weekly discharge rounds (O) within 6 weeks (T)?

Evidence: The reviewed literature supported the use of a discharge checklist tool to facilitate effective team communication and care coordination with parents …

Code Crimson Ob: A Lifeline For Maternal Health, Colleen Cowie, Elizabeth Barrera, Leah Williams-Jones, Mercy R. Banaszak, Leonor Ruiz, Arvinder Singh

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Postpartum hemorrhage (PH) accounts for 12% of maternal deaths in the U.S. and affects approximately 5% of obstetric individuals. Despite available treatments, delays in recognition and response can lead to severe complications or death. The purpose of this evidence-based practice project was to improve maternal outcomes by implementing Code Crimson OB, a specialized obstetric rapid response team (RRT) for managing maternal hemorrhage.

Methods: An unannounced maternal hemorrhage drill revealed critical delays in mobilizing appropriate personnel. In response, the RRT protocol was revised to include Code Crimson OB, ensuring rapid, coordinated intervention. Hospital-wide education was conducted, and the protocol officially …

Breastfeeding Safety Following Maternal Anesthesia: A Guideline Development, Megan Honea, Mary Johnson

Doctoral Projects

Recommendations regarding breastfeeding following maternal anesthesia are inconsistent and often not up to date with current best practice guidelines. Previous recommendations have led to mothers unnecessarily “pumping and dumping” breast milk has benefits for both mother and baby. These benefits include (a) increasing the infant’s access to colostrum, (b) encouraging mother-baby bonding, (c) improving the mother’s breastfeeding experience, (d) and providing significant health benefits to the infant. The purpose of this scholarly project was to develop a set of evidence-based recommendations that focus on mothers who desire to breastfeed following general anesthesia. These recommendations will highlight maternal- fetal transfer of …

The Effect Of Exercise On The Development Of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus In Pregnancy: A Systematic Review Of Literature, Abigail Reiche

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize literature examining the relationship between using exercise as a preventative method for gestational diabetes development during pregnancy, and the effect it may have on lowering glycemic levels. Health Source: CINAHL and PubMed were systematically searched for peer-reviewed journal articles that studied pregnant women (P), and the relationship of consistent exercise (I), compared to no physical exercise (C), on lowering glycemic levels resulting in positive pregnancy outcomes (O), throughout gestation (T). Twenty articles were retrieved in accordance with the PICOT objectives. Additional criteria included only articles from 2019-2024 and articles that were …

A Comparison Of Cultural Aspects Of Breastfeeding In The United States Vs Italy, Madison P. Wallace

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Healthcare systems internationally differ from policies, funding and resources available, and it is evident when comparing the United States and Italy. Participation in the Nursing Across the Lifespan study abroad program at the University of Arkansas Rome Center and Tiny Tusk Breastfeeding and Infant Support internship inspired a comparative exploration of breastfeeding practices in the United States versus. Italy. The United States has a mixed public- private insurance system, workplace policies and government assistance, while Italy has a universal healthcare system with a mandated maternal work paid leave to support breastfeeding mothers. Italy's program supports education and physical care needed …

Exploring Factors Informing The Choice Of Caesarean Sections Among Couples, And Healthcare Workers: A Case Of The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya, Mercy Mukubwa

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: A caesarean section (C/S) is a lifesaving procedure to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. It is associated with more risks compared to a vaginal birth. The rates of C/S have been on an upward trend globally and are expected to continue to rise further. C/S predisposes neonates to poor outcomes, some of which could be life-threatening compared to vaginal birth. Similarly, C/S mothers are at greater risk for serious complications.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing the decision to undergo a caesarean section among couples and healthcare workers …

Determinants Of Utilization Of Skilled Birth Attendant Among Women Of Reproductive Age In Habeswein Ward, Wajir County, Kenya, Suada Hassan

MSc in Advanced Practice Midwifery

Background: Maternal care provided by a skilled birth attendant (SBA) during pregnancy, at delivery, childbirth, and the postpartum period is vital for reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. In sub-Saharan Africa, the overall prevalence of usage of SBA in a 2021 study was 63%. Tanzania recorded the lowest rate at 13.8%, while Kenya registered 89.3% in 2023. However, disparities exist within Kenyan counties, for instance, in Wajir County only 57% of births were assisted by skilled health providers, a disparity that could be due to socio-cultural differences.

Aim: This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the utilization of skilled …

A Descriptive Study Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions In Early Labor In Nulliparous Term Singleton Vertex (Ntsv) Women, Candida R. Bell, Acklin Gordon, Dianna Hill, Elba Rivera, Heather R. Cowherd, Ivette Ramos, Martha Valdes, Maureen Gordon, Silvia Foltan, Silvia Medina, Catherina C. Chang Martinez

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

Introduction: Positional changes may contribute to progression of labor in nulliparous women. We investigated the use of non-invasive, non-pharmacological interventions during the first stage of labor in nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) women at a community hospital in the U.S. Another aim was to compare the times from the first intervention to completion of the first stage of labor across three interventions.

Methods: Ours was a descriptive, retrospective study of 98 NTSV women from January to June 2025. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27.

Results: Most women were Hispanic (71%), averaging 31 …

Congolese Mothers' Beliefs That Influence Health-Seeking Behaviors For Their Infants., Shawn Meiman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In 2024, approximately 100,000 refugees were admitted to the United States, with 20% coming from the DRC, while Kentucky continues to rank fourth in the country for refugee resettlement. The increasing number of Congolese refugee children in the United States and Kentucky necessitates a greater understanding of these beliefs and practices to ensure equitable, quality, and culturally informed health services. The purpose of this study was to explore Congolese refugee mothers’ culturally and socially situated beliefs, perceptions, practices, and resources related to health care that may influence their views and practices of preventive well-child health care for their infants in …

Longitudinal Associations Between Maternal And Child Screen Use At 1 Year Of Age And Child Behavior And Development At 3 Years Of Age, Stephanie Sim, Juliana Zabatiero, Natasha Bear, Amber Beynon, George Thomas, Ravisha Srinivasjois, Brad Jongeling, Desiree Silva, Leon Straker

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Young children are increasingly exposed to evolving screen technology. International guidelines recommend no screen use for children under the age of 2 years, due to the potential for detrimental effects on behaviour and development. However, evidence for these guidelines is limited by inadequate consideration of device-specific effects (TV and mobile phone/tablet computer), maternal screen use, confounders such as maternal mental health and importance of effect sizes. Our aim was to investigate longitudinal associations of device-specific maternal and child technology use and covariates (including maternal mental health) with behavioural and developmental outcomes, to guide adults on screen use behaviours by …

Norms For Scaling Up Small And Sick Newborn Care: An Overview Of Reviews, Natalie A. Strobel, Georgia Whisson, Derek Swe, Amy Budrikis, Karen M. Edmond

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) currently have no benchmarks or 'norms' for scaling up small and sick newborn (SSN) service delivery in health facilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Our objective was to understand which systematic reviews had addressed the following norms in the last five years: number of SSN beds per live births in a district or similar administrative unit (admission beds); space requirements for SSN units, including mother-infant dyads (space); health workforce ratios in SSN units (workforce); and travel time to health facilities with SSN units (travel time). Methods: …

A Boost Of Confidence: Improving Perinatal Bereavement Care, Kimberly Winn

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Perinatal loss can have a profoundly distressing impact on families. Nurses play a crucial role in supporting care during this challenging period and must be confident in perinatal bereavement care.

PICOT: The PICOT question that guided this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Project was, in inpatient hospital Maternal Child Health (MCH) nursing staff (P), does implementing a standardized perinatal bereavement care checklist (I), compared to current practice (C), improve nurse confidence in perinatal bereavement care as evidenced by the Perinatal Bereavement Care Confidence Scale (PBCCS) (O) in eight weeks (T)?

Evidence: Ten evidence-based articles were included in …

Implementing Evidence-Based Cluster Care To Improve Preterm Infant Stability, Kendal B. Hargrove, Mattie C. Kent

Scholars Week

Premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are frequently exposed to excessive handling, light, and noise, which can disrupt sleep and hinder growth. This project investigates whether current caregiving schedules at Deaconess Henderson Hospital’s NICU support adequate rest and development in preterm neonates. Analysis revealed an absence of clear policies regarding clustered care, inconsistent implementation, and limited staff understanding of its evidence-based benefits. Guided by the Roy Adaptation Model, this project proposes the development and implementation of a standardized clustered care policy to promote neonatal adaptation and stability. Evidence from multiple studies (Wang et al., 2021; Hendy et al., …

Increasing Pediatric Hpv Vaccination Rates, Brooke A. Nicholas

Dissertations

Increasing Pediatric HPV Vaccination Rates

Abstract

Problem: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection that affects more than 80% of the population within the United States (Eisenhauer et al., 2020). HPV can develop into cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers (Eisenhauer et al., 2020). About 4,000 individuals die from cervical cancer alone each year (O’Leary, 2022). The HPV vaccine, though recommended by the ACIP and AAP, is below national vaccination rates in comparison to other vaccines (O’Leary, 2022).

Methods: This quality improvement project is a non-randomized controlled trial that observed HPV vaccine dose completion rates for patients aged 9-14 …