Title : Maternal child emergency response preparedness: Pearls of the panda radiant warmer
Abstract:
As neonatal emergencies occur infrequently on mother-baby units, maternal child nurses may feel unprepared when urgent neonatal clinical situations arise. Innovative education strategies address learning needs to ensure nurses gain confidence, understanding, and practical skills to respond effectively during stressful clinical scenarios. The Pearls of the Panda emergency response initiative bridges the learning gap for maternal child nurses while improving team preparedness for neonatal emergencies in the acute care setting. A multimodal education strategy includes specific tools and a formal process for emergency preparedness with the neonatal Panda Warmer. The Panda Warmer checklist is a step-by-step guide ensuring the warmer is functional and ready for immediate use during emergencies. The Panda Shift log is a documentation tool promoting accountability and consistency; nurses track warmer readiness assessing gaps across shifts. Strategies include dedicating space for extra emergency supplies, dedicating one Panda Warmer for emergency use and a transport monitor equipped with necessary supplies. Maternal child nurse leaders first completed the initiative to enhance knowledge, empowering them to cascade the education ensuring implementation consistency across units. The interactive, memorable learning experience includes a “field trip into the nursery.” The hands-on walkthrough enables exploration of emergency preparedness equipment in the actual care environment. The Panda Warmer education, along with neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) mock code simulations lead by neonatal nurse practitioners, became skills stations in annual nursing education. The dedicated education time provides nurses with realistic experience in responding to neonatal emergencies while nurses perform return demonstrations to achieve proficiency. Traditionally, Panda Warmer preparedness and NRP simulation occurred simultaneously with limited time to focus on critical elements of Panda Warmer preparation. Separating Panda Warmer skills and NRP simulation enables increased time for education in multiple aspects of neonatal emergency response while providing opportunities for nurses to master skills with return demonstration and feedback with interdisciplinary educators. Active repetition with clinical skills for emergency response ensures nurses build confidence while increasing knowledge. Currently, 144 nurses completed the initiative gaining confidence and knowledge to act swiftly and effectively during neonatal emergencies. Nurses completed pre and posttests evaluating learning outcomes for Panda Warmer competency and NRP simulation. During the pretest, 52% of nurses reported feeling very confident with Panda Warmer competency while 82% of nurses reported feeling very confident after completion. Nurses completed the Panda Warmer skills station prior to NRP simulation; reported confidence levels increased from 15% to 61% of nurses feeling very confident with NRP skills. The Pearls of the Panda initiative successfully addresses learning needs by empowering nurses with confidence, understanding, and hands-on experience to respond to neonatal emergencies. The initiative reinforces a culture of safety, readiness, and collaboration through innovative education. Focusing on knowledge attainment in emergency response best practice strengthens both neonatal and adult emergency response preparedness. The emergency response preparedness in maternal child health care initiative enhances clinical readiness while strengthening cohesion among interdisciplinary teams. Prioritizing our shared commitment to providing exceptional patient care through a collaborative nursing education model sustains best practice in maternal child health.
