Developing a Systematic Approach to Obstetric Emergencies.

Objective: To determine the effect of standardized education specific to maternal resuscitation on nurses' confidence and competence during obstetric emergencies and to determine the cost savings associated with the program.

Design: Pre- and postintervention surveys designed to measure perceived confidence and competence in resuscitation before and after Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification in combination with obstetric drills.

Setting: The project was conducted at a 12-bed labor and delivery, mother/baby unit in an acute care, community-based hospital in Northwest Arkansas.