Promoting and supporting breastfeeding by midwives and nurses in a Romanian obstetrics ward: a best practice implementation project

INTRODUCTION: Breastfeeding promotion and support are essential for maternal and child health. OBJECTIVE: This project aimed to improve breastfeeding promotion and support practices in an obstetrics ward of a specialized Romanian hospital. METHODS: This project followed the JBI methodological model for best practice implementation. Data collection was carried out using an audit questionnaire with 11 evidence-based audit criteria. After the implementation of improvement strategies (education, updating protocols, promotional materials, development of a breastfeeding support group), a follow-up audit was conducted to measure any changes in compliance. RESULTS: The follow-up audit showed significant progress compared to the initial assessment, with six audit criteria obtaining 100% compliance. For the remaining four criteria, compliance ranged from 58% to 97%, indicating notable but uneven progress. The last criterion (rooming-in) increased only modestly (17% to 36%), marking a positive but slower improvement compared to the other areas evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: By implementing strategies aimed at changing current breastfeeding practices, involving nurses and midwives, and through sustained institutional support, the project objectives have been achieved. However, periodic implementation of improvement strategies is necessary to maintain the positive results achieved and to improve aspects of inadequate compliance. Moreover, to assess the sustainability of the results and to extend best practices to all wards and professional categories, future audits of clinical practice will be necessary. SPANISH ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A619.