Adaptation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Safe Surgery Checklist for Use With Cesarean Sections: Implementation and Outcomes With the Safe Cesarean Section Checklist.

Introduction The World Health Organization (WHO) Safe Surgery Checklist significantly decreases morbidity and mortality in regular operating room cases. However, significant differences in workflow and processes exist between regular operating room cases and cesarean sections performed on the labor and delivery unit. The aim of this study is to adapt the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist for the labor and delivery unit and cesarean sections to improve communication and patient safety.

Effect of Follow-Up Intervals on Breastfeeding Rates 5-6 Months Postpartum: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare the effect of early versus traditional postpartum follow-up intervals on breastfeeding continuation rates 6 months postpartum.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled primiparous women planning to breastfeed to a postpartum appointment either 2-3 weeks or 6-8 weeks after delivery. The primary outcome was the breastfeeding rate in each group 5-6 months after delivery.

Unintended Pregnancy in the Military Health Care System: Who is Really at Risk?

Unintended pregnancy is a global issue and one that is reportedly to be higher in the military population. We sought to assess rates of unintended pregnancy among the active duty population in comparison to other military health care beneficiaries. Using a validated six-question survey, patients aged 18 to 42 were surveyed in five different clinics at three major tertiary hospitals from December 2013 to December 2014.

Meeting effective care measures.

Hospital nurses play a central role in evaluating data to ensure patient safety and improve quality.

Teaching undergraduate nurses nursing phenomena.

Nursing phenomena, complex and dynamic conceptual building blocks, are the basis of our nursing language. Students have difficulty understanding what nursing phenomena are and how to link them to practice and research. The authors describe incremental experiential learning strategies that were used to help students learn and apply the basic concepts of their nursing language.

Evaluation of a combat medic skills validation test.

The purpose of this study was to describe validity and reliability of a skills-based test (the Semi-Annual Combat Medic Skills-Validation Test) used by the Army to determine combat medic competency. An instrumentation design was used in which a panel of experts completed a content validity index on all skills. Simulation testing was used to determine criterion validity, intrarater, interrater, and test-retest reliability.

Soldiers' experiences with military health care.

Patient satisfaction can be enhanced by narrowing gaps between what health care consumers experience and what they expect. A study was therefore conducted to better understand health care experiences and expectations among Army beneficiaries. Data collected using focus groups were analyzed by using qualitative research methods.

Improving combat medic learning using a personal computer-based virtual training simulator.

The new military occupational specialty for combat medics, the 91W, requires that all medics successfully pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians examination. The objective of this study was to supplement standard emergency medical technician training with a three-dimensional, computer-based, virtual training simulator and to assess whether scores and pass rates could be increased. Combat medics (N=167) were selected for training through the usual noncommissioned officer unit selection process and were randomized by cohort to the training simulator.

What really matters to healthcare consumers.

Consumer satisfaction with healthcare is an important quality and outcome indicator. Satisfaction may be at the crux of survival for healthcare delivery systems because it creates the competitive edge in healthcare. To better understand patient satisfaction by examining consumer healthcare experiences and expectations, a study was conducted.

Creating healthcare cultures of patient safety.

With the release of the Institute of Medicine's report on patient safety, a national agenda was set to rebuild the public's trust and create cultures of safety within all healthcare organizations. This vision of improvement is driving changes in healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and regulatory agencies to remove the blame and improve their systems. Understanding historical events, strategies for organization change, and current patient safety initiatives will assist nursing leaders to become active participants at the local, state, and national level as cultures are changed and solutions are developed to prevent patient injuries.