Online Program

283884
Ladies in waiting: Addressing the needs of antepartum patients in the hospital setting


Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Mariel Benjamin, LCSW, Department of Social Work, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY
While pregnancy is supposed to be spent happily preparing for a new arrival, women dealing with antepartum admissions face unique reproductive health concerns relating to premature delivery, pregnancy loss and difficult choices regarding termination. These medical concerns can precipitate depression, anxiety and social isolation among this overlooked vulnerable population. Additionally, at large urban medical centers, many patients lack the social support and access to resources needed to cope with this difficult predicament. Medical literature shows, that the stress of uncertainty and a prolonged hospital stay can take an emotional toll, adversely affecting the outcome of a pregnancy. The Mount Sinai Hospital Department of Social Work has worked collaboratively with the Department of OB/GYN and other ancillary services to develop a model Antepartum Support Program to reduce the emotional impact of extended admissions prior to delivery. This presentation will demonstrate how a major urban teaching hospital has developed and integrated comprehensive psychosocial counseling and a wide range of services, including access to multiple entertainment systems, guided meditation, massage, and music therapy to address the emotional needs of the antepartum patient population, regardless of income. The program has succeeded in creating a more comforting environment and has seen improvement in our patients' abilities to cope in this stressful situation. Principles of program development will be identified for use in other settings.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Program planning

Learning Objectives:
Identify gaps in service to at-risk populations within health care settings Identify impact of isolation/anxiety on long-term admissions Explain importance of equalizing access to comfort services and amenities regardless of income

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been a social worker at Mount Sinai Hospital for the last 7 years and have worked exclusively with pregnant and postpartum women for the last 4 years. In my capacity as an inpatient social worker, I developed an interdisciplinary program to address the needs of our high-risk antepartum patients and provide comprehensive support services to treat anxiety and depression common within this population.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.