Vaginal delivery yields better outcomes for very premature babies
Babies born vaginally between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation were less likely to have respiratory problems compared with those born via cesarean section, according to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. Researchers also noted that C-section babies had lower overall health scores five minutes after birth than babies born vaginally. Reuters
(5/8)
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| Patient Safety & Clinical Update |
USPSTF calls for routine gestational diabetes screening
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has released a new draft recommendation statement urging women to undergo gestational diabetes screening after 24 weeks of pregnancy. "It's important to remember that each case of gestational diabetes affects two people: the expectant mother and the baby. We now have good evidence that screening expectant mothers for gestational diabetes after 24 weeks provides a substantial benefit, with few to no harms, leading to healthier moms and babies," said USPSTF member Dr. Wanda Nicholson. HealthDay News
(5/27)
ACOG updates Tdap vaccine guidelines for pregnant women
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a committee opinion urging women to get a dose of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine during each pregnancy. The vaccine can be given anytime during pregnancy, but the best time to administer it is between 27 and 36 weeks, the ACOG Committee on Obstetric Practice said. The committee opinion was published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology. PhysiciansBriefing.com/HealthDay News
(5/28)
Study questions the impacts of bed rest on premature birth
Bed rest during pregnancy may have little benefit in preventing premature birth, according to the results of a recent study that have prompted calls from specialists for more rigorous research to determine the impact. The latest study involved women with short cervix complications and found 37% of participants who curtailed activities as advised had a premature baby compared with 17% among those who did not change their activity level. The Washington Post
(5/20)
NICU hand-hygiene improvements reduce MRSA in study
Maintaining a hand-hygiene compliance rate of more than 80% was linked to a 48% decrease in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition in a single-center neonatal ICU study reported in the American Journal of Infection Control. Compliance was tied to the prevention of 1.3 cases per month and savings of $66,397 in health care costs. BeckersHospitalReview.com
(5/22)
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Survey finds room for improvement in U.S. maternity care
Data from the Listening to Mothers III survey by Harris Interactive documented overuse of procedures such as labor induction and cesarean delivery among pregnant women, while beneficial services including help with smoking cessation for expectant mothers who smoked were not consistently offered by health care providers. "Underused maternity practices tend to be noninvasive, pose few if any risks, and use relatively few resources," said researcher Eugene Declercq. "They offer many opportunities to improve the quality, outcomes and cost of maternity care, with benefits for mothers and babies, and those who pay for their care." Medscape (free registration)
(5/13)
More nurses seek certification in specialty areas
More nurses are becoming certified in their specialty areas to provide better care and patient safety and serve as mentors for younger colleagues, nurses said. Registered nurse Michele Malone, director of women's services and nursing excellence at North Kansas City Hospital in Missouri, said certification is "becoming increasingly important in the marketplace" and represents a formal validation of nurses' expertise. The Kansas City Nursing News
(5/24)
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| Policy, Ethics & Legal Update |
FDA to import TPN drugs from Norway to ease U.S. shortage
The FDA said it will allow imports of injection drugs for total parenteral nutrition to ease a U.S. shortage. The drugs are used for critically ill preterm infants and other patients who cannot eat or drink by mouth. The FDA said that it would import the nutrition drugs from a Norwegian plant and that hospitals can begin ordering the drugs immediately. NBC News/Vitals blog
(5/29)
Other News
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3D mammography could reduce repeat imaging
U.S. research suggested that 3D digital mammography likely will reduce the number of women needing repeat imaging. In the study, cancer-detection rates increased, though not significantly, with 3D imaging. Lead author Dr. Stephen Rose of TOPS Comprehensive Breast Center in Houston said the improvements were due to clearer shapes that led "to more accurate interpretations by radiologists." MedPage Today (free registration)
(5/23)
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The Continuing Competency Initiative in 4 easy steps!
NCC has provided two new brochures to address questions and dispel myths about the new professional development certification maintenance program. This program involves four major steps to demonstrate continued knowledge of your core certification specialty knowledge competencies and is binding for any NCC certified individual with due dates in 2014, 2015 or beyond. Learn more.
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I never could have done what I have done without the habits of punctuality, order, and diligence, without the determination to concentrate myself on one subject at a time."
-- Charles Dickens, British writer
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The National Certification Corporation is a not for profit organization
that provides national credentialing programs and continuing education
opportunities to nurses, physicians and other licensed health care professionals
within the obstetric, neonatal and women's health care specialties. NCC has
awarded more than 115,000 certifications or certificates of added qualification
since its inception in 1975.
Learn more about certification and continuing education opportunities for
obstetric, neonatal and women's health care professionals –
http://www.nccwebsite.org. |
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