Delayed Cord Clamping: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramIn evaluating adverse outcomes in our hospital, we recognized an opportunity to affect the rate of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in infants born before 32 weeks gestation. Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses and neonatologists felt that preterm infants could benefit from delayed cord clamping (DCC) to reduce IVH rates by nearly 50%. Staff from labor and delivery (L&D) and the NICU partnered to develop and implement a process for DCC with the end goal of improving patient outcomes.Proposed ChangeTo ensure success, an interdisciplinary team consisting of NICU and L&D nurses, neonatologists, obstetricians, and respiratory therapists was formed to develop a standardized process for cesarean and vaginal births. Implementation steps included establishing a policy for discussing essential steps needed to maintain normothermia of the infant, creating simulation videos for training on the process, and educating all physicians and staff within L&D and NICU.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationA standardized approach to DCC was established by the multidisciplinary team. Using the Iowa model, benchmarking, and a current literature review, a policy was developed that included a clear set of exclusion criteria for all very‐low‐birth‐weight (VLBW) infants. We set a specific time frame for the delay in clamping the cord and most importantly established clear communication guidelines for prompting the delivery team to n...
Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Childbearing Source Type: research