APN Plan Improves Outcome for Pregnant Patient With Congenital Heart Disease

Advanced practice nurses work in many roles to support delivery of safe patient care. Eighty-five percent of children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) live to adulthood. The pregnant adult with CHD presents challenges for nursing across many care-delivery systems. Progression of care delivery across these systems requires innovative planning and organization. This article describes the plan developed by advanced practice nurses in a CHD clinic and in inpatient coronary care and obstetric units to support a pregnant patient with CHD. The plan focused on collaboration and communication among interdisciplinary teams. The goal was to address multidisciplinary communication, leadership, and staff education. The result was a successful high-risk delivery with organized education and patient care across systems.