Implementation of the Power Hour Campaign to Improve Early Breast Pumping Initiation Rates

Paper PresentationPurpose for the ProgramTo improve rates for early initiation of breast pumping among mothers who are separated from their newborns after giving birth at a Baby Friendly–certified hospital.Proposed ChangeTo initiate the Power Hour campaign on the labor and delivery unit using Transforming Care at the Bedside principles.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationBefore this initiative, initiation of breast pumping within 6 hours of birth was a mother/infant unit expectation for mothers who were separated from their newborns. Adherence was low and practice among nurses varied. The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) lactation consultant provided evidence that supported early initiation of breast pumping, especially within the first hour, but this information did not change practice. Labor and delivery nurses who were motivated to support early initiation within the first hour encountered barriers. Breast pumps were stored in central supply, and pump kits were stored on the mother/infant unit. Mothers who pumped more than 6 hours after birth were dismayed at the small volumes of colostrum they were able to express. The Transforming Care at the Bedside team in collaboration with the advanced practice nurse leader took on this opportunity for improvement to provide the best in evidence‐based care to our new mothers.Breast pump kits and pumps are no longer stored in central supply, and par‐level inventory is maintained on the labor and delivery unit. The workflo...

Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - June 4, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Becky Gams, Roxanne Rana Flynn Tags: Newborn Care Source Type: research