Perinatal Substance Use and Harm Reduction: Navigating the Challenges of Illicit Drug Use in the Acute Care Setting

 

Purpose:

To explore the professional practice, legal and ethical dilemmas, and logistical challenges nurses must navigate when caring for women in the perinatal period who are actively using illicit substances in hospital.

 

Learning Objectives:

Following this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe their nursing professional practice responsibilities related to harm reduction in the context of illicit drug use in hospital during the perinatal period.

2. Identify legal and ethical considerations when caring for a woman who is actively using in hospital.

3. Discuss logistical challenges and care planning solutions for active illicit drug use in hospital. 

 

Presenter:

Lani Wittmann, RN, MN, IBCLC, PNC(C), Senior Practice Leader, BC Women's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada