Other Titles
Severe Hypertension in Postpartum [Title Slide]
Abstract
Severe hypertension in the postpartum period is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality, affecting up to 10% of pregnancies. Prompt and standardized treatment of severe blood pressure elevations is critical to prevent complications such as stroke, heart failure, and eclampsia. At the practicum site, delays were identified in administering intravenous (IV) antihypertensive medications due to reliance on resident physicians to give the medication, resulting in inconsistent and prolonged treatment times. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement an evidence-based nurse-driven protocol for administering IV antihypertensives to postpartum patients with severe hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg or diastolic ≥110 mmHg.
Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework and the OhioHealth Change Management model, the project aimed to reduce time-to-treatment, improve patient outcomes, and enhance provider satisfaction. Education was provided to nurses and residents through online modules, in-person in-services, and visual aids featuring Labetalol and Hydralazine administration algorithms. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected using Qlik analytics and chart review to compare treatment times, number of repeat antihypertensive doses, and complications.
Results revealed a modest increase in average time-to-treatment post-implementation. However, compliance issues contributed to this variance. Importantly, no patients in either pre- or post-intervention groups experienced stroke or seizure activity, and rates of repeat antihypertensive dosing remained stable at 40%. These findings suggest that with reinforced education, improved order set integration, and enhanced compliance monitoring, nurse-driven administration protocols can be safely sustained and expanded to other maternal-child units.
This project underscores the vital role of empowering nurses through evidence-based practice to improve the timeliness and equity of care for postpartum women with severe hypertension. Ongoing process standardization, interprofessional collaboration, and technology support will be essential to achieving lasting improvements in maternal safety and outcomes.
Notes
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Non-member
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Quality Improvement
Research Approach
Translational Research/Evidence-based Practice
Keywords:
Teaching and Learning Strategies, Acute Care, Hypertension, Postpartum
Recommended Citation
Momme, Kayleigh, "Severe Hypertension in Postpartum: How a Nurse Driven Protocol Can Decrease a Delay in Treatment" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 30.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/30
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-21
Severe Hypertension in Postpartum: How a Nurse Driven Protocol Can Decrease a Delay in Treatment
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Severe hypertension in the postpartum period is a significant contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality, affecting up to 10% of pregnancies. Prompt and standardized treatment of severe blood pressure elevations is critical to prevent complications such as stroke, heart failure, and eclampsia. At the practicum site, delays were identified in administering intravenous (IV) antihypertensive medications due to reliance on resident physicians to give the medication, resulting in inconsistent and prolonged treatment times. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement an evidence-based nurse-driven protocol for administering IV antihypertensives to postpartum patients with severe hypertension, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg or diastolic ≥110 mmHg.
Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework and the OhioHealth Change Management model, the project aimed to reduce time-to-treatment, improve patient outcomes, and enhance provider satisfaction. Education was provided to nurses and residents through online modules, in-person in-services, and visual aids featuring Labetalol and Hydralazine administration algorithms. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected using Qlik analytics and chart review to compare treatment times, number of repeat antihypertensive doses, and complications.
Results revealed a modest increase in average time-to-treatment post-implementation. However, compliance issues contributed to this variance. Importantly, no patients in either pre- or post-intervention groups experienced stroke or seizure activity, and rates of repeat antihypertensive dosing remained stable at 40%. These findings suggest that with reinforced education, improved order set integration, and enhanced compliance monitoring, nurse-driven administration protocols can be safely sustained and expanded to other maternal-child units.
This project underscores the vital role of empowering nurses through evidence-based practice to improve the timeliness and equity of care for postpartum women with severe hypertension. Ongoing process standardization, interprofessional collaboration, and technology support will be essential to achieving lasting improvements in maternal safety and outcomes.
Description
Focus: Clinical
Status: Completed Work/Project
This quality improvement project addressed delays in treating severe postpartum hypertension by implementing a nurse-driven IV antihypertensive protocol. Guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework, the initiative aimed to reduce treatment time, improve outcomes, and increase staff confidence. Findings indicate that empowering nurses through evidence-based protocols can improve timely, equitable care and enhance patient safety.