Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department’s Home and Community Based Public Health Nurses (PHN) have used Care Pathways as a tool to monitor patient/client progress in the Maternal Child Health (MCH) program since 1995. When the position of Quality Improvement Coordinator was filled in 1999, the Care Pathway tool’s potential of measuring outcomes was utilized through a special audit study. The milestones completed for critical areas of pregnancy and infancy were tabulated, analyzed and compared with community population data. The outcomes desired were identified as the following: 1. Healthy pregnant mom 2. Tobacco-free environment for mom and baby 3. Normal infant birth weight 4. Successful breast feeding 5. Future pregnancies and births healthy
The results indicate that PHN home visitation has a positive effect on health outcomes of this population. At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to identify how a Care Pathway tool can be used to measure outcomes of an MCH home visitation program.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to identify how a care pathway tool can be used to measure outcomes of an MCH home visitation program.
Keywords: Home Visiting, Practice-Based Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department Division of Public Health Nursing
3140 'N' Street
Lincoln Nebraska 68510
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment