Topic What Are the Barriers to Prevention of African American Maternal and Infant Mortality in Hospital Setting Post-Delivery? Racial disparities in healthcare is a deplorable yet undeniable part of the present-day reality. The issue of unequal access to healthcare services becomes particularly crucial to discuss when it comes to the issue of maternal and infant mortality in the African American population. According to the recent data, the 2018 death toll constituted 10.8 African American infants in 1,000 newborns, which was more than twice the rates of infant mortality in White children (4.6) and almost twice the amount of the national average (5.7 in 1,000 births) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2021). Therefore, identifying the factors that contribute to mortality in African American infants and mothers is essential (Prather et al., 2018). Closing the gap in African American maternal and infant mortality starts with the providers such as APNs recognizing and changing the deficiencies in the system. Removing racial disparities in prenatal care and improving nurse-patient relationships in cumulative pregnancy by using the Gabby Preconception Care System is expected to help address infant and maternal mortality rates in African Americans. POI: Significance The POI in question has major significance due to the nature of the problem, as well as its implications. Firstly, the direct effect of the observed phenomenon, namely, infant and maternal mortality, implies that the quality of health services for African American mothers and infants must be improved by enhancing the efficacy of prenatal services, and infant care (Bhatt & Beck-Sagué, 2018). Secondly, the issue under analysis indicates that there are significant racial disparities in the provision of healthcare, which calls for the introduction of immediate changes to the roles of APNs and the enhancement of the principles of equality and diversity (Howell et al., 2018). Namely, the concerns associated with patient education and the management of pregnant African American women’s needs, namely, challenges in administering appropriate treatments and creating a positive environment for pregnant mothers, must be resolved. PICO P: pregnant African American women; African American infants. I: Gabby Preconception Care System C: traditional approach O: drop in the infant and maternal mortality rates in the African American population. Clinical Question Does the inclusion of the Gabby Preconception Care System (I)aimed at promoting health literacy in African American maternal women, as well as improvement in infant care(P) by changing the role of APNs to include conducting the assessment of culture-specific needs of the target population(C), help to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates in African Americans(O)? Critique The aim of the position statement above has been delineated clearly. Specifically, the need for an improvement in the quality of prenatal care and needs assessment for African American mothers and infants in the pre- and post-natal environments has been identified. Additionally, the position statement contains recommendations for improving the quality of care by enhancing cultural competence in APNs and adjusting the communication strategies, particularly, the issues related to patient education (Walter et al., 2018). The position statement was developed by an author and supported by academic research, particularly, the study on the benefits of the Gabby Preconception Care System (Walter et al., 2018). The research on the latter can be considered credible due to the authenticity of the research and the accuracy of data assessment. To support each recommendation, evidence levels IV and V were used, which also correlates to the levels of evidence of the resources and gives them a strong position in evidence hierarchy, mainly due to the use of authentic research. Therefore, the recommendations and guidelines for addressing the issue align with the ones suggested by the authors. Quality Improvement This position statement is likely to improve the current situation with infant and maternal mortality in African American patients to a significant extent. Namely, due to the focus on the needs and characteristics pertaining specifically to African American women and their infants, unique strategies for addressing key concerns in pre- and post-natal care will be isolated (Chinn et al., 2021). Thus, the issue of justice will be addressed. Similarly, the promotion of patient education and better communication between nurses and pregnant women as some of the essential roles of an APN in the target context will allow maintaining beneficence as one of the foundational principles of nursing and healthcare. Namely, an improved understanding of the needs of African American mothers and their infants will be achieved. Thus, the quality of the evidence represented in the study defines the APN’s decision to implement the proposed approach in practice. Conclusion By focusing on the active promotion of nurse-patient communication and cooperation and patient education with the help of the Gabby Preconception Care System, APNs will be able to minimize the mortality rates in African American mothers and their infants. Specifically, the quality of care is expected to rise as a result of removing racism and prejudices from the target setting once the role of APNs includes the focus on cross-cultural communication and patient education. Having a valued interest in the guidelines, the authors did an exceptional job at shaping them to improve the quality of care. Moreover, the model will help to promote an active cross-cultural dialogue between a nurse and a mother, which, in turn, will lead to better management of African American mothers’ needs. Finally, the efficacy of healthcare services offered to African American infants in post-natal care will improve.
