Collaborative Conferencing: AWHONN and ACOG Joint Venture to Improve Patient Safety

Poster Presentation

Purpose for the Program

The purpose of this poster is to describe how to implement a collaborative conference to enhance patient safety. Recently, a number of publications have touted the benefits of team training to improve obstetric outcomes during emergent situations. However, very little has been published regarding multidisciplinary education and improved patient safety in other venues. In 2010, the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses’ Ohio Section and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ (ACOG) Ohio district planned a joint venture conference to be held in August 2011 with a focus on collaborative education to promote patient safety.

Proposed Change

Collaboration and a common purpose can drive change. Multidisciplinary topics were offered to a joint audience at the AWHONN/ACOG conference. Such topics included oxytocin administration, outpatient quality, late preterm deliveries, safety culture, and obstetric simulations. These topics were chosen because they are applicable to physicians, advance practice nurses, and nursing staff. The presenters were nursing professionals as well as physicians, which enhanced the atmosphere of collegiality.

Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation

The conference planning was approved by the leadership of both organizations. A preliminary budget was developed and agreed upon by both parties. The agenda and flyer was developed and distributed across the state and to neighboring states. Additionally, a callout for poster abstracts was done and leaders from both AWHONN and ACOG sought out exhibitor support. On Saturday, August 20, 2011, the conference was held in central Ohio. This joint venture drew 120 attendees, 12 exhibitors, and 17 poster presenters. Evaluations were positive and attendees cited planned practice changes for themselves and for their respective institutions.

Implications for Nursing Practice

The implications for nursing practice are clear. Nurses need to collaborate with physician colleagues to improve patient safety. Likewise, physicians need to collaborate with nurses to improve patient safety. By offering a collaborative conference, enhanced awareness of the roles of others can occur and best practices shared with all involved in patient care to improve safety and outcomes.