Simulation-based obstetric training sharply improved maternity nurses’ readiness to manage emergencies, including those that may accompany fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), according to a three-year evaluation involving 60 nurses published recently in Clinical Simulation in Nursing.
The project found that structured drills helped nurses respond more effectively in situations where rapid maternal or newborn bleeding or instability could place families at risk.
“Through simulated experiences, maternity ward nurses improved their technical skills, learned to better manage emergency situations, and adopted rapid and efficient response methods for complex scenarios,” explained this study’s authors.
Investigators reported that nurses’ confidence increased from a mean score of 3.98 to 4.38, a 10.05 percent rise, after completing a two-day, 12-hour program combining lectures with realistic, hands-on scenarios. Because FNAIT can result in severe bleeding in newborns and require coordinated maternal care, the improvement in emergency poise is expected to help patients experience faster stabilization and better outcomes.
Nurses also described a stronger sense of professional capability, with self-perception scores climbing 6.76 percent, from 4.29 to 4.58. Their theoretical knowledge improved as well, rising 4.36 percent. These gains were most apparent in managing postpartum hemorrhage, which improved by 10.77 percent, and treating seizures, which increased by 15.76 percent. For families facing conditions that heighten bleeding risk, such as FNAIT, these skills may translate into earlier recognition of deterioration and more accurate intervention.
Read more about the care team for FNAIT
Diagnostic accuracy improved substantially. Correct identification of preeclampsia criteria rose from 33.3 percent to 57.7 percent, a 73.27 percent improvement. Posttraining, 100 percent of participants answered correctly on items related to preventing eclampsia and managing severe preeclampsia. Because hypertensive disorders can complicate or coexist with pregnancies affected by FNAIT, better diagnostic precision may support safer care for both mothers and newborns.
Nurses’ understanding of medication use also advanced, including appropriate administration of prostaglandins for postpartum hemorrhage. Knowledge of pharmacologic treatment for severe preeclampsia increased 9.05 percent, and comprehension of hemodynamic instability improved 7.16 percent. These enhancements suggest that patients may receive more timely therapies during fast-moving emergencies.
Overall, the findings indicate that structured, simulation-based practice equips nurses with sharper judgment and quicker responses. For patients, including families navigating the challenges of FNAIT, such preparedness may reduce complications, improve survival and strengthen trust in the care team during some of the most vulnerable moments of pregnancy and childbirth.
Sign up here to get the latest news, perspectives, and information about FNAIT sent directly to your inbox. Registration is free and only takes a minute.
