Baptist Labor & Delivery Nurses Put All Their Hearts into Certification Program

Contact: Robby Channell, 601-968-5135 rchannell@mbhs.org

Jackson, Miss. – October 11, 2005 - All nurses in Baptist Labor and Delivery Department have been certified in the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices program. This allows Baptist nurses to monitor if a baby is experiencing fetal distress, and how well the fetus is tolerating the mother’s contractions.

Tanya Grace, Baptist L&D nurse manager, noted having all L&D nurses certified offered them opportunity to develop, improve and enhance their fetal assessment skills. “We are the only hospital in the area to have all our nurses certified.”

Nurses were required to complete a two-day workshop. The didactic portion of the workshop provided an analysis of case scenarios requiring synthesis of key principles pertinent to the physiological basis of fetal heart monitoring, tracing, interpretation, interventions and verbal and written communication skills. The skills portion of the session focused on placement of an internal intrauterine pressure catheter, spiral electrode, and performing Leopold’s maneuvers. Auscultation skills and interpretation of fetal monitoring tracings were also practiced and demonstrated.

“A baby's heart rate is a good indicator of whether your baby is doing well or may have some problems,” added Grace. “This certification ensures its personnel have adequate training and provide superior services as judged by a nationally recognized review organization to monitor the baby’s heart.”

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