Improving communication and coordination of complex perinatal patients

Area of Science:

• Perinatal medicine
• Healthcare communication
• Patient safety

Background:

• Complex medical conditions in pregnancy necessitate effective interprofessional team communication.
• The Magnet Hospital model emphasizes quality improvement and patient-centered care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance communication and patient satisfaction among pregnant women with complex medical problems.
• To implement and evaluate a proactive Perinatal Patient Care Conference model.

Main Methods:

• Initiation of Perinatal Patient Care Conferences involving pregnant women, families, and healthcare teams.
• Collaborative development of a written care plan in a nonclinical setting prior to admission.
• Seven-year retrospective review of the implemented process.

Main Results:

• Decreased anxiety levels for pregnant women and their caregivers.
• Improved communication and collaboration among the healthcare team.
• Enhanced patient and family engagement in care plan development.

Conclusions:

• Proactive Perinatal Patient Care Conferences foster a culture of safety.
• This model effectively supports pregnant women with complex medical needs.
• Improved communication positively impacts patient and caregiver well-being.