Evaluation of the introduction of a postnatal ward liaison neonatal nurse

AimTo describe the introduction, implementation and evaluation of the post of postnatal ward liaison neonatal nurse.MethodIn the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in Ireland there were 1075 short-term admissions to the Neonatal Centre in 2009, for observation, evaluation or antibiotic therapy, and the practice of separating mother and baby was identified as a factor in increasing maternal anxiety. The post of postnatal ward liaison neonatal nurse was introduced for a two-month pilot period to provide care for babies at the mother's bedside.FindingsIn the pilot phase the postnatal ward liaison neonatal nurse was involved in the care of 369 infants, reviewing each infant between 1 and 6 occasions. This resulted in a reduction of 66 cot days per year, saving €31,416, for a cost of approximately €7,815 in salaries.ConclusionThe introduction of a postnatal ward liaison neonatal nurse is recommended as a means of providing safe, cost-effective and high quality care, while enabling more effective use of cots for infants requiring high dependency care.