Abstract
Background
Women are discharged home from hospital increasingly early, but there is little evidence examining the postnatal hospital discharge process and how this may impact on the health of women and babies. In particular, there is little on sepsis prevention advice, despite it being the biggest direct cause of maternal mortality.
Aim
To explore the perceptions of women and senior student midwives related to the postnatal hospital discharge process and maternal sepsis prevention advice.
Methods
Three focus group interviews were undertaken, involving 9 senior student midwives and 14 women attending paid or specialist classes for vulnerable migrant women.
Findings
All participants believed that the postnatal hospital discharge process was inadequate, rushed and inconsistent. Sepsis advice was patchy and the condition underplayed.
Conclusions
Cost effective, time-efficient and innovative ways to impart vital information are required to support the postnatal hospital discharge process.
Women are discharged home from hospital increasingly early, but there is little evidence examining the postnatal hospital discharge process and how this may impact on the health of women and babies. In particular, there is little on sepsis prevention advice, despite it being the biggest direct cause of maternal mortality.
Aim
To explore the perceptions of women and senior student midwives related to the postnatal hospital discharge process and maternal sepsis prevention advice.
Methods
Three focus group interviews were undertaken, involving 9 senior student midwives and 14 women attending paid or specialist classes for vulnerable migrant women.
Findings
All participants believed that the postnatal hospital discharge process was inadequate, rushed and inconsistent. Sepsis advice was patchy and the condition underplayed.
Conclusions
Cost effective, time-efficient and innovative ways to impart vital information are required to support the postnatal hospital discharge process.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 248-253 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | British Journal of Midwifery |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 2 Apr 2018 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2 Apr 2018 |
Keywords
- Postnatal hospital discharge
- Maternal sepsis
- Focus group discussion
