Nursing assessments of women with hypertensive disorders during labor in an academic medical center in Mississippi: a best practice implementation project.

Objectives: The objective of this project was to promote evidence-based practices regarding the nursing assessment of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders admitted to the intrapartum unit.

Introduction: Hypertension during pregnancy has been associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Ongoing evaluation and nursing care are key in the prevention of complications resulting from hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Methods: The implementation of this best practice project was guided by the JBI Model of Evidence-based Healthcare and used the JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice audit and feedback strategy to promote evidence-based practices regarding the nursing assessment of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders admitted to an intrapartum unit. Eight audit criteria that were representative of best-practice recommendations for nursing assessment of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders were used. A baseline audit was conducted, followed by the implementation of multiple strategies that were determined by the key stakeholders. The project was finalized with a follow-up audit to determine a change in compliance with best-practice recommendations.

Results: Baseline audits revealed an average 45% compliance rate with the eight best practice audit criteria. An on-site simulation event, which included a nursing assessment of normal and abnormal lung sounds along with the hands-on practice of deep tendon reflexes, was provided by project members. Evidence-based assessment guidelines were presented and reviewed with all participants. Input from the nursing staff was gathered regarding current documentation practices and electronic health record accessibility. As a result, an electronic health record change was requested, and improvements in nursing practice were observed for five of the eight audit criteria. Follow-up audits revealed an average compliance rate of 73% for all eight audit criteria, a 28% improvement.

Conclusion: Continuing nursing education and ongoing competency refreshers can affect the quality of client care and outcomes by offering occasions to improve or strengthen clinical expertise and proficiency. For this project, the simulation training event improved nursing staff compliance with best practices.