The role of the fetal cardiac clinical nurse specialist: the Brompton model

Abstract

This article identifies the importance of the role of the fetal cardiac clinical nurse specialist in informing and supporting families through an antenatal fetal cardiac diagnosis. The model used at the Royal Brompton Hospital, London, to ensure the provision of standardised, high quality care to patients throughout their healthcare network is discussed. The challenges faced and guidance available to support such teams are also highlighted. Clinical practice models have been developed through field experience, considering guidance specifications, to direct fetal cardiology services in the provision of quality antenatal support, information and communication.

The Role of Nurses in Fetal Cardiology Programs

“…All articles in this review included nurses as a key member of the multidisciplinary team in the care of patients with fetal CHD. The multidisciplinary team was typically described as a core group of health care providers from cardiology, obstetrics, anesthesia, and nursing with expertise in the management of fetal CHD and a history of maternal CHD in pregnancy (Davis & Walsh, 2019; Dopson et al, 2022; Easter et al, 2020; Heying et al, 2020; Sharma et al, 2021). Nurses' roles on these teams were described as essential (Davis et al, 2021; Dopson et al, 2022), integral (Daming et al, 2021), pivotal (Davis & Walsh, 2019), and invaluable (Braley et al, 2022; Easter et al, 2020).…”

“…Parents receiving a diagnosis of fetal CHD have described feelings of emotional chaos and intense emotional shock (Reid & Gaskin, 2018), and “expectant parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of CHD have been identified as a population at risk” (Lafranchi & Lincoln, 2015, p. 58). Our review found that the nurse is frequently tasked as the psychosocial support provider or counselor, in tandem with the fetal cardiologist (Bratt et al, 2015; Dopson et al, 2022; Evans et al, 2015; Lafranchi & Lincoln, 2015; Lee, 2017; Nagata et al, 2022; Walsh et al, 2017). Patients have reported relief and support from nurses after receiving the diagnoses of CHD in their fetus (Bratt et al, 2015; Reid & Gaskin, 2018).…”

“…Nurses also coordinate accurate and timely documentation, sharing, and retrieval of patient records. Dopson et al (2022) described the complex role of the nurse in maintaining comprehensive electronic patient records and spreadsheets to facilitate postpartum care planning and care continuity.…”

“…Qualitative support for the patients and families during times of crisis ( Dopson et al, 2022). In this review, both the nursing and medical literature agreed that nursing psychosocial support and counseling are essential in fetal cardiology care.…”

“…Evans et al (2015) suggested after a CHD diagnosis, comprehensive counseling should include meeting with a multidisciplinary team consisting of congenital heart surgeons and interventionalists; clinical psychologist and social worker; and fetal nursing team. The nursing profession is known for its holistic methods in patient care, which positions nurses to provide excellent The nurse also serves as the navigator and contact person for the patient and family (Braley et al, 2022;Dopson et al, 2022;Kovacevic et al, 2021;Lee, 2017;Loyet et al, 2016). Daming et al (2021) noted that nurses are the point of contact for the patient throughout labor and birth and are intimately involved in care, while providing patients the knowledge to handle complex information of their diagnoses to optimize outcomes.…”