Date
12-4-2025
Department
School of Nursing
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Chair
Vickie Moore
Keywords
postpartum nurse discharge education, maternal mortality, postpartum complications, patient education, warning signs, nurse-led programs, maternal morbidity
Disciplines
Nursing
Recommended Citation
Pulley, Amanda Jones, "Postpartum Nurse Discharge Education Plan" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7678.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7678
Abstract
This evidence-based practice project evaluated the effect of targeted discharge education for postpartum nurses on reducing maternal mortality at a rural hospital in southern Virginia. Sixteen nurses participated, aiming to improve the recognition and management of severe postpartum complications, which account for 60% of maternal deaths in the U.S. The educational intervention was presented via PowerPoint, both in person and by email, to ensure all nurses had access. Effectiveness was measured through pre-educational and post implementation surveys over a 12-week period. Results showed a dramatic improvement: the percentage of nurses who reported discussing all nine post-birth warning signs with patients increased from 6.25% before the intervention to 100% afterward. Similarly, nurses’ confidence in providing crucial discharge instructions rose from 6.25% to 100%. Challenges encountered included limited nursing time and conflicting information, highlighting the need for clear, nurse-led educational approaches. By empowering nurses with better knowledge and confidence, the project enabled them to deliver thorough, patient-centered discharge instructions tailored to each patient’s needs. Overall, this initiative helped improve maternal outcomes and supported ongoing health and safety during the postpartum period.
