Experiences of nurses caring for perinatal women and newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive qualitative study

Modifications in family centered developmental care and in neonatal intensive care during the COVID-19 pandemic in a hospital in Spain: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Family centered developmental care (FCDC) are a philosophy of care in the neonatal care units (NICU), based on the control of sensory stimulation the adequate position and of newborn and the family involvement of cares. Nursing staff are the main providers of this care. Sanitary measure to control of the COVID-19, such as the use of masks, isolation of positive cases and capacity limit, conditioned the implementation of FCDC.

OBJECTIVES

To understand the meaning of the experience of the nursing staff of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the implementation of the FCDC, under the sanitary measures imposed for the containment of COVID-19.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted from the descriptive phenomenological paradigm in which NICU nurses were recruited. The qualitative data collection was carried out through open-ended and semi-structured interviews. These were analyzed respectively through a preliminary narrative analysis and a thematic analysis of the informant nurses' narratives and discourses.

RESULTS

Three open-ended and 7 semi-structured interviews were conducted from which three main topics emerged: 1) changes in the FCDC derived from the sanitary restrictions implemented for the containment of COVID-19; 2) changes in interpersonal relationships in the context of a pandemic, and 3) transition to normality.

CONCLUSIONS

The nurses of NICU perceived changes in the implementation of the FCDC due to the containment of COVID-19, that modified the relationship with the parents of NB, accelerating their training as caregivers, and involved the implementation of new measures such as video calls.

Challenges and opportunities for perinatal health services in the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study with perinatal healthcare professionals

Background

Perinatal healthcare professionals (PHCPs) provide essential support to all parents in the perinatal period, including young parents aged 16–24, who are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the provision of perinatal services, and on perinatal healthcare professionals, caring for young parents in the UK.

Methods

A UK based qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with perinatal healthcare professionals (n = 17). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Two themes were identified describing perinatal healthcare professionals’ perceptions of providing care to young parents during the pandemic. Perinatal healthcare professionals perceived that young parents’ needs were amplified by the pandemic and that pandemic-related changes to the service, such as the use of telemedicine to replace face-to-face interactions, did not manage to successfully mitigate the increased feelings of anxiety and isolation experienced by young parents. Concerns were raised by perinatal healthcare professionals that these changes reduced young parent’s access to vital support for themselves and their child and may contribute to exacerbating pre-existing inequalities.

Conclusions

This study provides insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the provision of perinatal care to young parents. Perinatal mental health professionals felt these negative impacts could be overcome by using a blended approach of technology and face-to-face interactions allowing regular contact with young parents and facilitating the exchange of vital information, while maintaining access to opportunities for social interactions with other parents. Findings from this study could be used to future-proof services against further COVID-19 restrictions.

Surgical team perceptions of the surgical safety checklist in a tertiary hospital in Jordan: a descriptive qualitative study

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of operating room staff towards the use of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist in a tertiary hospital in Jordan.

Design/methodology/approach

This was a qualitative descriptive study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 21 healthcare staff employed in the operating room (nurses, residents, surgeons and anaesthesiologists). The interviews were conducted in the period from October to December 2021. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Findings

Three main themes emerged from data analysis namely compliance with the surgical safety checklist, the impact of surgical safety checklist, and barriers and facilitators to the use of the surgical safety checklist. The use of the checklist was seen as enabling staff to communicate effectively and thus to accomplish patient safety and positive outcomes. The perceived barriers to compliance included excessive workload, congestion and lack of training and awareness. Enhanced training and education were thought to improve the utilization of the surgical safety checklist, and help enhance awareness about its importance.

Originality/value

While steps to utilize the surgical safety checklist by the operation room personnel may seem simple, the quality of its administration is not necessarily robust. There are several challenges for consistent, complete and effective administration of the surgical safety checklist by the surgical team members. Healthcare managers must employ interventions to eliminate barriers to and offer facilitators of adherence to the application of the surgical safety checklist, therefore promoting quality healthcare and patient safety.

Roles and Experiences of Registered Nurses on Labor and Delivery Units in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

To examine the roles and experiences of labor and delivery (LD) nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Online distribution between the beginning of July and end of August 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

LD nurses (N = 757) responded to an open-ended question about changes to their roles during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a larger national survey.

METHODS

We calculated descriptive statistics on respondents' characteristics and their hospitals' characteristics. We applied conventional content analysis to free-text comments.

RESULTS

We derived four major categories from the responses: Changes in Roles and Responsibilities, Adaptations to Changes, Psychological Changes, and Perceived Effects on LaborSupport. Nearly half (n = 328) of respondents reported changes in their roles and responsibilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. They described adaptations and responses to these changes and perceived effects on patient care. Infection control policies and practices as well as the stress of a rapidly changing work environment affected the provision of labor support and personal well-being.

CONCLUSION

The experiences described by respondents conveyed considerable changes in their roles and subsequent direct and indirect effects on quality of patient care and personal well-being. Policies and practices that can facilitate the ability of LD nurses to safely and securely remain at the bedside and provide high-touch, hands-on labor support are needed. The findings of our study can help facilitate the provision of labor support during times of disruption and foster the resiliency of the nursing workforce.

Experiences of nurses caring for perinatal women and newborns during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive qualitative study

Aim

Nurses are pivotal in caring for patients infected with COVID‐19. Little is known about experiences of nurses in maternity care during the pandemic. Therefore, this study aimed to describe nurses’ experiences of caring for perinatal women and newborns during the pandemic.

Design

A descriptive qualitative study was conducted.

Methods

Data were collected from August–November 2020 using focus group and in‐depth interviews. A total of 24 nurses working in maternity and newborn care units participated in the study. Content analysis method was used for data analysis.

Results

The participants’ clinical experience ranged from 6 months–26 years. Three major themes emerged as follows: “making every effort to prevent COVID‐19 infection,” “caring for perinatal women and newborns with COVID‐19 infection or suspected infection” and “job stress and professional growth during the pandemic.” Participants reported that they needed more support in terms of staffing and mental health.