Nancy Adrianna Garofalo
NorthShore University HealthSystem, USA
Title: A web-based teaching module for the prevention of sudden unexpected postnatal collapse (SUPC) of the newborn
Biography
Biography: Nancy Adrianna Garofalo
Abstract
Sudden unexpected postnatal collapse (SUPC) is characterized by apnea, limpness, pallor, bradycardia, cyanosis, and cardiorespiratory failure in apparently healthy term newborns soon after birth, often during initial skin-to-skin contact, in the prone position, or with the first breastfeeding attempt. The etiology for this devastating clinical entity is not well understood, but maternal fatigue and/or distraction appear to play key roles. The objective of this poster presentation is to discuss a quality improvement project that was designed to educate clinicians and parents, in order to prevent SUPC cases. A task force implemented an educational program; using the words “pink and positioned” to teach staffs how to educate parents about proper distraction-free positioning of their infant. Education consisted of poster presentations and lectures on maternity units. A video depicting a (simulated) SUPC case and two other videos showing an obstetrician and post-partum nurse counseling a new mother about SUPC-prevention were created, circulated internally, and later added to a mandatory web-based training module and also publications. Practice changes included more frequent post-natal assessment of the newborn and documentation of ‘Pink and Positioned’ into our electronic medical record. Responses from 254 nurses and patient care technicians (PCTs) to a pre-and post- test questionnaire, suggest that after taking the module, they were more knowledgeable and reported feeling more comfortable teaching parents about SUPC prevention. We anticipate that, as a result of this comprehensive education, SUPC cases will be prevented.