Abstract

Opioid drug use during pregnancy is a national and local emergent concern. The state of Ohio has experienced a dramatic increase in neonates born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS occurs after the neonate is born and no longer receives a supply of opioids from the mother. NAS occurs in approximately 55 to 94 percent of neonates exposed to opioids in utero and if left untreated can become life threatening. Nationally, an estimated $1.5 billion is spent annually for NAS treatment equating to $53,400 per infant hospitalized. Non-pharmacological supportive care measures such as breastfeeding can aid in managing NAS symptoms. The purpose of the evidence based practice improvement project (EBPIP) was to provide continuing education (CE) for maternal newborn care staff in Erie County Ohio on the national standards of care and recommended practice guidelines that encourage and support opioid dependent postpartum women in medication assisted treatment (MAT) programs to breastfeed their neonates. The goal of the project is to foster maternal decision making to breastfeed as a means to decrease the occurrence of NAS symptoms, decrease the need for pharmacological interventions, and decrease the length of stay (LOS) in an acute care hospital setting for affected neonates. The Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change was used to guide project implementation. The CE program titled Breastfeeding's Role in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome was presented to maternal newborn care staff (N= 133) of Erie County Ohio. The program provided education on NAS and the national standards and guidelines for breastfeeding and maternal substance use. A comparison of the pre and post questionnaire demonstrated gains in staff knowledge and comfort level regarding the implementation of breastfeeding guidelines for opioid dependent women in MAT. The use of standardized evidence-based guidelines ensures nonpharmacological treatments (such as breastfeeding) are supported for the neonate born to opioid dependent mothers who are participating in an MAT program.

Holly A. Myers

Author Details

Holly A. Myers, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE

Sigma Membership

Unknown

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice

Keywords:

Breast Feeding, Opioid, Education

Advisors

Batten, Susan||Brewer, Tracy||Barclay, Larissa

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

The University of Toledo

Degree Year

2017

Rights Holder

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All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2018-02-07

Full Text of Presentation

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