Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
AWHONN’s Contact Information
Leadership
Healthcare reforms
Patient safety
Ethical and legal issues
References

Abstract

There are many organizations, which represent various interests in the healthcare sector. AWHONN strives to promote the best healthcare services for women and newborns. Its leadership promotes independence among nurses and collaboration with external stakeholders. AWHONN participates in healthcare reforms by supporting various Acts that promote women and newborns health. In addition, it relies on evidence-based practices to guide nurses and improve patient safety while its guidelines ensure that nurses maintain ethical practices and practice within the law.

Introduction

Established in 1969 as a non-profit organization, the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) strives to enhance “the health of women and newborns” (AWHONN, 2014).

AWHONN’s mission is to “improve and promote the health of women and newborns and to strengthen the nursing profession through the delivery of superior advocacy, research, education, and other professional and clinical resources to nurses and other health care professionals” (AWHONN, 2014).

AWHONN’s Contact Information

2000 L Street, NW, Suite 740.

Washington, DC 20036.

Local: 202-261-2400
Toll free US: 800-673-8499
Toll free Canada: 800-245-0231
Fax: 202-728-0575
Email: [email protected]

The current president of AWHONN is Catherine H. Ivory, PhD, RNC-OB, MSN, but a president-elect, Karen Harris, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC will replace the current president. The organization also has a board of directors that is led by the president. There are eight directors, who work alongside the president. The board has several responsibilities. First, the board provides effective leadership and proper management of the organization. Second, it is also responsible for establishing strategic direction for AWHONN. Third, the board is responsible for overseeing activities, which are necessary to allow the organization to fulfill its mission and achieve its goals. Fourth, the board sets main programs and oversees fiscal roles. Finally, AWHONN’s board appoints panels and committees to account for its state operations, operations in Canada, and the US military membership.

AWHONN has achieved tremendous favorable outcomes since its inception. While it strives to promote health of women and newborns, AWHONN also runs projects that focus on improving health outcomes. Currently, the organization runs the AWHONN Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) Project. The project aims to decrease cases of deaths related to bleeding during or after childbirth among women (AWHONN, 2014). The organization believes that it would prevent between 54% and 93% of hemorrhage-related deaths. The PPH Project would allow clinicians to recognize, prepare, and respond swiftly to postpartum hemorrhage. AWHONN runs Fetal Heart Monitoring (FHM) Program and the AWHONN’s Go the Full 40 campaign, which aims to reduce cases of primary cesareans and increase the provision of relevant advice by nurses. Meanwhile, there are also ongoing advocacy projects, community services, education, research, and journal publications under its various departments.

Leadership

AWHONN promotes independent leadership within its organization, but it strives to nurture young leaders through AWHONN Emerging Leaders program. It also promotes collaboration leadership with other stakeholders in the healthcare sector to curb severe maternal morbidity or mortality associated with “obstetric hemorrhage, severe hypertension, and venous thromboembolism” (AWHONN, 2014). For instance, AWHONN works with several stakeholders and the Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care to enhance safety for all women, reduce risks associated with serious maternal morbidity, and eventually, cut maternal mortality.

Through AWHONN’s leadership, the Council has consolidated, harmonized, and developed appropriate tools and acquired resources, which are necessary for administrators and clinicians in their service areas.

AWHONN also offers supports to nurses who want to engage in the political sphere.

Healthcare reforms

AWHONN collaborates with government agencies at all levels to promote health of women and newborns (AWHONN, 2014). For instance, the organization has supported several Acts in the past. It supported Pregnant Workers Fairness Act so that women could have modifications in their jobs and healthy pregnancies. The goal of the Act was to eliminate legal drawbacks and promote fair treatment of pregnant women.

AWHONN advocates for the Supporting Working Moms Act. The Act would allow working salaried mothers to express milk at their workplaces and eradicate legal loopholes in the Federal law that caters for wage-earning mothers.

The organization also promotes healthcare reforms through Support the Family Act. The Act would implement a tax credit system for costs associated with IVF and fertility preservation (AWHONN, 2014).

These are some of the few legislative actions, which AWHONN has taken in the past to facilitate healthcare reforms. Moreover, it also encourages the public to take action and promote healthcare reforms. At the same time, AWHONN encourages and trains nurses to participate in lawmaking advocacy.

Patient safety

The organization strives for patient safety through its multiple evidence-based guidelines for nurses and care providers. It publishes evidence-based materials, which focus on specific areas related to women and newborns health, such as “fetal heart rate monitoring, labor induction, neonatal skin care, care of the late preterm infant, labor care, and breastfeeding” (Lund et al., 2001).

Ethical and legal issues

AWHONN has developed many Standards for Professional Nursing Practice in the Care of Women and Newborns. These are materials, which guide nurses throughout their practices. They describe roles, responsibilities, and proficiency of nurses when providing care to women and newborns. Consequently, nurses and care providers strive to maintain highest standards of codes of ethics and practice within the legal framework.

References

AWHONN. (2014). The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). Web.

Lund, C. H., Osborne, J. W., Kuller, J., Lane, T., Lott, W., and Raines, D. A. (2001). Neonatal skin care: clinical outcomes of the AWHONN/NANN evidence-based clinical practice guideline. Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, & Neonatal Nursing, 30(1), 41-51.

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