Improving Communication to Neonatal Resuscitation Team Members During High-Risk Births.

Objective: To determine whether implementation of a written communication tool in labor and delivery during high-risk births improves communication, preparation, and satisfaction of responding neonatal resuscitation team members.

Design: Quality improvement project with a pretest and posttest design.

Setting/local Problem: Two labor and delivery units and a third labor-delivery-recovery-postpartum unit within a health care system in the southeastern United States.

Participants: Nurses, nurse practitioners, respiratory therapists, and physicians who are part of the neonatal resuscitation team.

Interventions/measurements: A researcher-designed, written communication tool titled the High-Risk Delivery Communication Tool was implemented in the settings. A researcher-designed measurement tool titled the Neonatal High-Risk Delivery Communication Scale was used as a before-and-after survey to measure communication to the neonatal resuscitation team, preparation for high-risk births, and satisfaction with communication from labor and delivery nurses.

Results: Findings from all portions of the Neonatal High-Risk Delivery Communication Scale indicated statistically significant improvements in communication, preparation, and neonatal resuscitation team member neonatal resuscitation team satisfaction while attending high-risk births. Scores improved on every item regarding hand-off, risk factor communication, preparation, and satisfaction.

Conclusion: Implementing a communication tool for use in high-risk births may improve communication to neonatal resuscitation team members, enhance preparation for neonatal care, and increase team members' satisfaction with interprofessional communication.