Engaging Families through Partnering to Improve Perinatal Outcomes

Presenters: Christina Cantin RN, MScN, PNC(C), Perinatal Consultant, Champlain Maternal Newborn Regional Program, Ottawa ON; Lynn Newton RN (EC), BScN, MEd, IBCLC, Nurse Practitioner – Pediatrics (Neonatal), Women and Children’s Programs, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston ON

Presentation Outline/Description: This interactive and engaging specialty session will provide a high-level overview of substance use in Canada. Participants will hear about innovative models of care that are effectively engaging and supporting families impacted by substance use, and will have a chance to discuss emerging health issues related to this topic. The overall aim of this session is to increase knowledge about perinatal substance use, enhance skills in conversing with families, and identify practical ideas to reduce barriers experienced by both families as well as health care providers. 

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the elements of evidence-based models to support families.
• Articulate the pros and cons of using structured screening and scoring tools.
• Incorporate open-ended questions when dialoguing with families. 
• Identify features of innovative programs contributing to positive maternal and newborn outcomes.

Christina Cantin is a Perinatal Consultant with the Champlain Maternal Newborn Regional Program (CMNRP). Christina worked as a Registered Nurse for 14 years at The Ottawa Hospital in a variety of Perinatal Units. It is through her work in the Special Care Nursery and the Obstetrics Clinic that she developed a passion for implementing evidence-based models to enhance the care of families impacted by substance use. In 2013-14, Christina completed an Advanced Clinical Practice Fellowship through the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario whereby she developed and now facilitates an 8 hour regional workshop entitled “Perinatal Substance Use: Improving the Care of Mothers and Newborns”. She has been working in regional role since 2012. 

Lynn Newton is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. Lynn has worked in the women’s and children’s program for 25 years at Kingston Health Sciences Centre. She is a recipient of the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) 150 Nurses for Canada award, as well as she is the CNA Neonatal certification mentor for Ontario, and exam preparation member for the Canadian Association of Neonatal Nurses. She completed an RNAO fellowship in 2006 titled: Nurturing Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). She also participated in a speaker’s bureau for RNAO on NAS, and was an external stakeholder reviewer for the RNAO best practice guideline for supporting clients on methadone maintenance. She is the co-lead for the NAS Rooming In program at Kingston Health Sciences Centre.