Abstract
Perinatal regionalization encourages regional centers (RC) to provide educational programs for community hospitals (CH). We have developed a program with the following novel approaches: (1) Each hospital defines its own equipment and personnel needs by completing an inventory; (2) The same self-instructional program is completed by all perinatal nurses and physicians, thus facilitating uniformity of care and improving nurse-physician communication; (3) The RC trains 2 nurses from the CH who subsequently direct an intensive 4 month program entirely in their hospital and with minimum intervention by the RC. The program consists of 5 self-instructional books (575 pages) covering 17 perinatal subjects and 17 skills. The program was revised through 3 field trials and critiqued by 7 national experts. 55 physicians, 173 nurses and 107 supporting personnel representing 81% of the perinatal professionals from 9 CH participated in the program. For the units completed by all hospitals to date, pre vs. post test scores increased from a mean of 70% to 87% respectively (p<.001). Critical incident data suggested that the program resulted in improved patient care and staff morale. Pre-transport conditions of referral babies showed a 34% increase in quantity of stabilizing activities. Chart reviews are now underway to evaluate care practice changes. We conclude that a self-instructional, locally-based and coor-dinated program of this type is an effective, well accepted, and efficient means of training personnel in the CH.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
