Effect of applying standards for labor and delivery nursing care on performance of nurses

Abstract

Background Childbirth is one of the most important events in the life of a woman however, the care provided and practices for childbirth are not standardized. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Effect of applying standards for labor and delivery nursing care on performance of nurses. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. The study was carried out at labor and delivery units in Minia hospitals (Obstetric University Hospital, General hospital and Health Insurance at Labor unit) .Convenience sample for all (50 nurses) who were working in different labor and delivery units during the study in the previous settings. Tools, An interviewing questionnaire for nurses was developed by the researcher and the second was performance standards for maternal and neonatal health Normal Labor and Delivery (NLD) .Results The significant difference were found concerning, immediately and after 3 months and total scores of nurses' performance were highly statistical significant difference was illustrated (p <0.001) , while the mean scores of nurses' performance (163.5±8.2) immediate post test was the higher than 3 months later after application of standards (138.9±11.5), and pretest (107.1±3.1), Conclusion: there was improvement in achievements of performance standards for maternal and neonatal health: Normal Labor and Delivery (NLD) after application of this study immediately better than three months later follow up . Recommendation: Develop evidence-based maternity & neonatal care manual in all hospital based on established evidence-based practice with national standards. Nursing performance appraisal to ensure that nursing care level in maternal &neonatal units follow standardized care manuals.