Transitioning to Couplet Care

Poster PresentationPurpose for the ProgramBy sharing our challenges, adjustments, and successes, at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, we hope to encourage other hospitals to implement the evidence‐based practice of couplet care.Proposed ChangeTo utilize best practice in the nursing care of mothers and newborns while increasing staff teamwork, nurse satisfaction, and patient satisfaction.Implementation, Outcomes, and EvaluationTo transition from traditional maternity care to couplet care, a Family Centered Care Committee (FCC) of staff nurses, physicians, and nursing leaders was created in March 2013. This multidiscipline committee was a venue where common misconceptions, resistance, and patient/employee satisfaction were discussed as well as how to change a culture based on history and tradition. Also discussed were the evidence‐based research and best practices currently used in maternity care. A plan for providing staff with current research, didactic education, assessment/care classes, and cross training was devised and implemented by the team. Surveys for the staff were given at several intervals during the transition to keep staff engaged and part of the change process.Since implementation in April 2014, patient satisfaction has increased, and there also has been a slight increase in employee satisfaction. This is still a project in continuous process improvement. More surveys will be distributed to staff in September 2014, December 2014, February 2...

Source: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing - June 4, 2015 Category: Nursing Authors: Cindy S. Baker, Stephanie T. Naumann Tags: Newborn Care Source Type: research