Nurses Improving the Health of Mothers and Infants by Dancing the 10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

Abstract

Poster Presentation Objective To implement practices that promote optimal infant feeding for all mothers and infants at our organization. Our organization had implemented some components of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, but the breastfeeding initiation rate was 62% and the formula supplementation rate was 70%. Design The following guidelines were followed: The Baby‐Friendly Hospital Initiative Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria for Facilities Seeking Baby‐Friendly Designation, AWHONN's Breastfeeding Support through First Two Years Evidence‐Based Practice Guideline, and AWHONN's Assessment and Care of the Late Preterm Infant Evidence‐Based Practice Guideline. Sample Pregnant women, postpartum mothers and their infants, health care providers, and the health care organization. Methods Participation in 89‐hospital national quality improvement initiative to help improve maternity care and increase the number of Baby Friendly designated hospitals. An interdisciplinary team collaborated to move the organization through the discovery, development, dissemination, and designation phases for a 2‐year process improvement. Implementation Strategies Implementation strategies included assessment of current practice, identification of barriers and opportunities, and strategies to support significant changes that encompass the continuum of care; development and implementation of a staff teaching plan of knowledge and practical skills necessary to implement practices that support the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding; review of materials across the organization and private practices; development of patient education materials and a comprehensive teaching plan; monthly quantitative and qualitative audits; rapid cycle testing; collaboration and communication with stakeholders at all levels of organization; and community partnerships. Integral to the success of the quality initiative were weekly interdisciplinary team meetings, presentations at obstetrics and pediatric department meetings, role development of breastfeeding champions, incremental phase‐in of practice changes, education roll‐outs and celebrations, and monthly tracking of our progress in meeting the Ten Steps with communication to staff, physicians, and administration. Results Results included heightened professional environment of competence, enhanced delivery of patient centered care, improved health of mothers and infants, increased patient satisfaction, and achievement of regulatory compliance benchmarks. The implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding resulted in improved rates of breastfeeding as well as reduced ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic disparities related to infant feeding. Conclusion/Implications for Nursing Practice This presentation demonstrates the effect of a nurse‐led, quality initiative that improved the continuum of care for mothers and infants from the prenatal period, to delivery, and through postdischarge community care. The steps to implementation can be a model for other organizations that want to improve the quality of health care to support optimum infant feeding.