Emergency Care for Patients During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Emergency Nurses Association and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Joint Position Statement-Emergency Care for Patients During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Emergency Nurses Association and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Joint Position Statement

Emergency Care for Patients During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period: Emergency Nurses Association and Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Joint Position Statement

Back to course

Pdf Summary

The Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) have released a joint position statement on emergency care for patients during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The statement emphasizes the importance of risk assessment, evaluation of warning signs, and timely communication and coordination with obstetric clinicians.<br /><br />Pregnant patients may present to emergency settings for various reasons, such as confirming pregnancy status or seeking treatment for early complications. They may also require emergency care for non-obstetric conditions or obstetric complications. Critical conditions can lead to maternal and/or fetal compromise and require immediate triage and intervention.<br /><br />During the postpartum period, a significant number of patients present to emergency settings with complications such as infection, excessive bleeding, or hypertension. Factors such as access to care, language preferences, immigration status, and insurance coverage can also impact emergency care during pregnancy.<br /><br />Emergency nurses need specialized education, training, and competencies to provide appropriate care to pregnant and postpartum patients. Physiological and anatomical changes during pregnancy require adjustments to assessment and treatment protocols. Collaborative care between emergency and obstetric clinicians is crucial for stabilizing the patient and fetus.<br /><br />The joint position statement provides a list of recommendations for healthcare professionals and hospitals. Recommendations include assessing the staff's competency in the emergent care of pregnant or postpartum patients, incorporating pregnancy and postpartum assessments into triage intake, providing education and training on obstetric presentations and early warning signs, and ensuring access to emergency care regardless of the patient's demographic or financial factors.<br /><br />The statement also highlights the need for hospital policies and procedures that comply with regulatory agencies and the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) and specify triage, care, and disposition of pregnant or postpartum patients. Additionally, it mentions the importance of practicing and rehearsing responses to obstetric emergencies and providing supportive care and education for patients and families who have experienced fetal loss.<br /><br />The joint position statement aims to improve the care and outcomes for pregnant and postpartum patients in emergency settings. It acknowledges the need for specialized knowledge, collaboration, and effective protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and infants.

Meta Tag

pregnancy prenatal

pregnancy hypertensive

pregnancy child-bearing

pregnancy maternal

pregnancy fetal

pregnancy critical care

pregnancy abortion

pregnancy nausea

pregnancy obstetric

pregnancy seizure

pregnancy hemorrhage

pregnancy emergent

pregnancy vaginal bleeding

pregnancy antenatal

pregnancy intrapartum

pregnancy exam

pregnancy precipitous

pregnancy birth

Keywords

Emergency Nurses Association

Association of Women's Health

Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

emergency care

pregnancy

postpartum period

risk assessment

obstetric clinicians

collaborative care

fetal loss