By KAYLA KELLY
Tackling the Obstacles in Maternal and Child Healthcare
This semester, I have the privilege of guiding nursing students as they begin their clinical rotations focused on maternal and pediatric care. Their initial enthusiasm is evident; they share stories about witnessing their first delivery, helping a new mother with breastfeeding, and performing developmental evaluations on young patients.However, as time progresses, I observe a noticeable change in their perspectives.“You were right; we encountered another infant diagnosed with congenital syphilis today,” one student expressed. Their reflections frequently enough carry a mix of emotions—frustration, anger, and sadness—as they see vulnerable newborns struggling with an infection that should be eliminated.
The Current State of Congenital Syphilis
The first time I mention to my nursing students that they might care for infants affected by congenital syphilis during their rotations, disbelief frequently enough follows. “Didn’t we eradicate syphilis back in the 1950s?” some ask. While a few recall discussions about historical studies like the infamous Tuskegee experiment, most are unaware that congenital syphilis remains a notable concern in modern America.
A Preventable Crisis
183%, escalating from1,328 to3,769. This troubling trend is mirrored at state levels; for instance, Texas experienced its numbers climb from179 cases in 2017 to922 by 2022.
The Situation in Texas
- (1) At the initial prenatal visit
- (2) In the third trimester (no earlier than week 28)
- (3) At delivery
Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Healthcare Access
A Technological Approach for Improved Outcomes
Evidenced-Based Success Stories from predictive Modeling
The current focus remains primarily on screening protocols tied strictly around conventional prenatal visits—but what about those women who don’t utilize conventional care pathways? To safeguard their newborns against infections like congenital syphilis requires us critically reassessing existing policies while adapting them according realities faced today!
>Pregnant individuals frequently seek assistance through urgent care facilities due unrelated ailments such urinary tract infections or respiratory symptoms each encounter presents unique opportunities where providers can intervene early preventing transmission risks associated conditions like these! Policies must evolve requiring routine screenings conducted whenever pregnant patients present themselves irrespective meeting prior guidelines ensuring follow-ups occur promptly within two days post-identification!
>Taking Action Through Geomapping Strategies
>Once high-risk populations identified via predictive analytics geomapping techniques enable public health officials target outreach initiatives more effectively creating visual representations highlighting areas needing increased testing education resources allocation accordingly! Health departments routinely employ this strategy directing funds precisely where needed most efficiently maximizing impact overall community well-being!
>COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF INVESTING IN PREVENTION MEASURES H4>>
Funding avenues exist through state grants aimed building integrating predictive models into EHR systems once established ongoing maintenance costs remain minimal compared rising expenses linked treating cases arising from untreated conditions average hospitalization fees incurred per infant suffering complications due untreated infections hover around $56k nearly fourfold higher than standard neonatal admissions without complications preventing even small number incidences offsets investment costs rapidly !< / P >>
A Call For Change And Compassionate Care Solutions< / H5 >>
The alarming surge witnessed concerning incidence rates signifies systemic failures missed opportunities prevention measures implemented adequately ! While AI cannot replace human compassion caregiving essential role played here utilizing available technologies empowers us make lasting differences vulnerable populations improving maternal-infant health outcomes significantly !< / P >>
Remaining stagnant under ineffective policies borders negligence possessing technology yet failing utilize represents failure rescue mission ultimately marrying innovation empathy transforms narrative surrounding future generations facing challenges ahead . Reflecting upon my students’ expressions frustration disbelief wish reassure them seeing end sight babies afflicted conditions unless changes enacted soon only beginning journey awaits us all .< / P >>
Kayla Kelly MSN RN CPN serves as both instructor nursing PhD candidate University Texas Tyler.