Staff Evaluation of a High-Risk Pregnancy Program

ABSTRACT

AbstractA southeastern state implemented a multidisciplinary health care program for Medicaid eligible, medically high-risk pregnant women and their infants as part of a statewide effort to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to obtain the staff's evaluation of this high-risk-pregnancy program. Clinical, supervisory, and clerical staff (N= 182) completed a questionnaire about the operation of the program and its perceived benefits. Staff identified program strengths: nurse case management, interdisciplinary structure, quality care, and positive health outcomes. Staff also identified program limitations including limited staff and time, inflexible protocols, administrative tasks, and narrow enrollment criteria. The majority of staff reported that the following barriers interfered with the effective operation of the program: paperwork, limited support, time, difficulty locating patients, and mandated time frames for patient contact. The majority of staff also reported that transportation most interfered with patient access to the program. The findings of this study support the need for ongoing staff evaluation of all perinatal health care programs.