Descriptions of Maternal Mortality From Nurses Who Practice in Perinatal Settings

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Maternal Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Maternal mortality remains a critical public health issue.
• Understanding healthcare providers' perspectives is crucial for improving outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' descriptions and experiences with maternal mortality in Indiana.
• To identify factors influencing nurses' engagement with maternal mortality prevention.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study utilizing semistructured phone interviews.
• 16 nurses from Indiana were recruited via the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.
• Content analysis was used to identify themes in nurses' descriptions.

Main Results:

• Three themes emerged: 'Out of Sight Is Out of Mind,' detachment from prevention roles, and experience as a turning point.
• Nurses with limited experience and detachment may miss educational opportunities.
• Experiencing maternal mortality or a near-miss significantly impacts nurses' perspectives.

Conclusions:

• Limited experience and detachment can hinder nurses' role in maternal mortality education.
• Nurses require enhanced education on perinatal substance use disorders and postpartum support.
• Support for nurses coping with perinatal death and dying is essential.