Audrey Lyndon

Faculty

Audrey Lyndon Headshot

Audrey Lyndon

PhD RNC FAAN

Executive Vice Dean
Vernice D. Ferguson Professor in Health Equity

1 212 922 5940

433 First Ave
New York, NY 10010
United States

Accepting PhD students

Prof. Lyndon is the Vernice D. Ferguson Professor in Health Equity and Executive Vice Dean at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. Her work focuses on three key areas: maternal health equity, community health engagement, and developing the nursing science and healthcare workforce. Lyndon’s maternal health work has focused on patient safety and quality in maternity and neonatal care, including improving communication and teamwork among clinicians; identifying parents’ perspectives on safety during labor, birth, and neonatal care; developing nurse-sensitive outcomes for labor and birth; researching severe maternal morbidity and maternal mortality; and holistic perinatal wellbeing. Her team has conducted groundbreaking research on the differences in clinicians’ and parents’ perspectives on speaking up about safety concerns, as well as developing an understanding of how women and parents conceptualize safety during childbirth and neonatal intensive care. Lyndon co-chaired the development of the CMQCC Obstetric Hemorrhage Toolkit, which became a national and international model for maternal safety bundles and collaborative quality improvement. Lyndon led an interdisciplinary research study funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality that established hospital-level exclusive breastfeeding rates and cesarean birth rates as nurse-sensitive outcomes. Lyndon’s current work focuses on understanding the experiences of communities that have faced higher rates of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. She and her team seek to gain a deeper understanding of the support needs and research priorities of severe maternal morbidity survivors, and to develop community-driven prevention targets for SMM and maternal health complications. Lyndon’s dedication to developing the nursing science and healthcare workforce includes mentoring and sponsoring clinicians and scientists from underserved communities. Her goals are to develop effective pathway programs for these individuals to pursue careers in nursing, nursing science, and clinical specialties.

 

PhD, University of California
MS, University of California
BA, University of California
Health Services Research
Qualitative Research
Women's health
American Academy of Nursing
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Educational Affiliate
American Nurses Association
Association of Women’s Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses
Vernice D. Ferguson Professor in Health Equity, Rory Meyers College of Nursing (2021)
PhD Program Mentor of the Year, University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing (2019)
James P. and Marjorie A. Livingston Chair in Nursing Excellence, University of California, San Francisco (2018)
Reviewer of the Year, Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing (2017)
Irving Harris Visiting Professor, University of Illinois, Chicago College of Nursing (2015)
Distinguished Professional Service Award, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (2013)
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2012)
Award of Excellence in Research, Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (2011)

Women's Experiences Being Diagnosed With Peripartum Cardiomyopathy : A Qualitative Study

Dekker, R. L., Morton, C. H., Singleton, P., & Lyndon, A. (2016). In Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health (Vols. 61, Issues 4, pp. 467-473). 10.1111/jmwh.12448
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease has been identified as the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States, with cardiomyopathy, including peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), accounting for 12% to 16% of all pregnancy-related deaths. The purpose of this study was to describe women's experiences being diagnosed with PPCM. Methods: This investigation was conducted using a qualitative design. We collected publicly available narratives posted by 92 women with PPCM (mean [SD] age 29 [6] years, mean [SD] ejection fraction 25.5 [10.8]%) in 3 online support groups. Data were coded and thematically organized so as to produce a richly detailed account of this experience. Results: The experience of diagnosis was marked by the women's distinct memories of their initial symptoms and whether they were dismissed or taken seriously. The most commonly reported symptoms were extreme shortness of breath, orthopnea, tachycardia, palpitations, chest pain, cough, and edema. Nearly 40% of women experienced symptom dismissal by health care providers. One-fourth of women were initially given inaccurate diagnoses ranging from “new mom anxiety” to asthma. Women described their initial reaction to diagnosis as feeling terrified, devastated, and feeling a sense of doom. Women had difficulty caring for their newborns during the postpartum period, and they struggled with the medical advice they received to not get pregnant again. Discussion: Despite experiencing severe subjective and objective symptoms, nearly 40% of women with PPCM experienced symptom dismissal by health care providers, in part due to the overlap between normal symptoms of pregnancy or the postpartum period and symptoms of heart failure.

Women's Experiences Being Diagnosed With Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: A Qualitative Study

Lyndon, A., Dekker, R. L., Morton, C. H., Singleton, P., & Lyndon, A. (2016). In Journal of midwifery & women’s health (Vols. 61, Issues 4, pp. 467-73).
Abstract
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease has been identified as the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States, with cardiomyopathy, including peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM), accounting for 12% to 16% of all pregnancy-related deaths. The purpose of this study was to describe women's experiences being diagnosed with PPCM.

Breastfeeding and Use of Social Media Among First-Time African American Mothers

Asiodu, I. V., Waters, C. M., Dailey, D. E., Lee, K. A., & Lyndon, A. (2015). In JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing (Vols. 44, Issues 2, pp. 268-278). 10.1111/1552-6909.12552
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To describe the use of social media during the antepartum and postpartum periods among first-time African American mothers and their support persons. Design: A qualitative critical ethnographic research design within the contexts of family life course development theory and Black feminist theory. Setting: Participants were recruited from community-based, public health, and home visiting programs. Participants: A purposive sample was recruited, consisting of 14 pregnant African American women and eight support persons. Methods: Pregnant and postpartum African American women and their support persons were interviewed separately during the antepartum and postpartum periods. Data were analyzed thematically. Results: Participants frequently used social media for education and social support and searched the Internet for perinatal and parenting information. Most participants reported using at least one mobile application during their pregnancies and after giving birth. Social media were typically accessed through smartphones and/or computers using different websites and applications. Although participants gleaned considerable information about infant development from these applications, they had difficulty finding and recalling information about infant feeding. Conclusion: Social media are an important vehicle to disseminate infant feeding information; however, they are not currently being used to full potential. Our findings suggest that future interventions geared toward African American mothers and their support persons should include social media approaches. The way individuals gather, receive, and interpret information is dynamic. The increasing popularity and use of social media platforms offers the opportunity to create more innovative, targeted mobile health interventions for infant feeding and breastfeeding promotion.

Communication of fetal heart monitoring data

Lyndon, A., & Zlatnik, M. G. (2015). In A. Lyndon & L. Ali (Eds.), Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices (5th ed.). Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses/Kendall Hunt.
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Effect of time of birth on maternal morbidity during childbirth hospitalization in California

Lyndon, A., Lee, H. C., Gay, C., Gilbert, W. M., Gould, J. B., & Lee, K. A. (2015). In American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Vols. 213, Issues 5, pp. 705.e1-705.e11). 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.07.018
Abstract
Abstract
Objective This observational study aimed to determine the relationship between time of birth and maternal morbidity during childbirth hospitalization. Study Design Composite maternal morbidities were determined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification and vital records codes, using linked hospital discharge and vital records data for 1,475,593 singleton births in California from 2005 through 2007. Time of birth, day of week, and sociodemographic, obstetric, and hospital volume risk factors were estimated using mixed effects logistic regression models. Results The odds for pelvic morbidity were lowest between 11 PM-7 AM compared to other time periods and the reference value of 7-11 AM. The odds for pelvic morbidity peaked between 11 AM-7 PM (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1101-1500 = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.09; 1501-1900 = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10). Odds for severe morbidity were higher between 11 PM-7 AM (AOR, 2301-0300 = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.21-1.41; 0301-0700 = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20-1.41) compared to other time periods. The adjusted odds were not statistically significant for weekend birth on pelvic morbidity (AOR, Saturday = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98-1.02]; Sunday = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.99-1.03) or severe morbidity (AOR, Saturday = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.18; Sunday = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.13). Cesarean birth, hypertensive disorders, birthweight, and sociodemographic factors that include age, race, ethnicity, and insurance status were also significantly associated with severe morbidity. Conclusion Even after controlling for sociodemographic factors and known risks such as cesarean birth and pregnancy complications such as hypertensive disorders, birth between 11 PM-7 AM is a significant independent risk factor for severe maternal morbidity.

Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices

Lyndon, A., & Ali, L. (2015). (5th ed.). Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses/Kendall Hunt.
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Handoffs and Patient Safety : Grasping the Story and Painting a Full Picture

Birmingham, P., Buffum, M. D., Blegen, M. A., & Lyndon, A. (2015). In Western Journal of Nursing Research (Vols. 37, Issues 11, pp. 1458-1478). 10.1177/0193945914539052
Abstract
Abstract
Effective handoff communication is critical for patient safety. Research is needed to understand how information processes occurring intra-shift impact handoff effectiveness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine medical-surgical nurses’ (n = 21) perspectives about processes that promote and hinder patient safety intra-shift and during handoff. Results indicated that offgoing nurses’ ability to grasp the story intra-shift was essential to convey the full picture during handoff. When oncoming nurses understood the picture being conveyed at the handoff, nurses jointly painted a full picture. Arriving and leaving the handoff with this level of information promoted patient safety. However, intra-shift disruptions often impeded nurses in their processes to grasp the story thus posing risks to patient safety. Improvement efforts need to target the different processes involved in grasping the story and painting a full picture. Future research needs to examine handoff practices and outcomes on units with good and poor practice environments.

Handoffs and Patient Safety: Grasping the Story and Painting a Full Picture

Lyndon, A., Birmingham, P., Buffum, M. D., Blegen, M. A., & Lyndon, A. (2015). In Western journal of nursing research (Vols. 37, Issues 11, pp. 1458-78).
Abstract
Abstract
Effective handoff communication is critical for patient safety. Research is needed to understand how information processes occurring intra-shift impact handoff effectiveness. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine medical-surgical nurses' (n = 21) perspectives about processes that promote and hinder patient safety intra-shift and during handoff. Results indicated that offgoing nurses' ability to grasp the story intra-shift was essential to convey the full picture during handoff. When oncoming nurses understood the picture being conveyed at the handoff, nurses jointly painted a full picture. Arriving and leaving the handoff with this level of information promoted patient safety. However, intra-shift disruptions often impeded nurses in their processes to grasp the story thus posing risks to patient safety. Improvement efforts need to target the different processes involved in grasping the story and painting a full picture. Future research needs to examine handoff practices and outcomes on units with good and poor practice environments.

Interpretation of Fetal Heart Monitoring

Lyndon, A., O'Brien-Abel, N., & Simpson, K. (2015). In A. Lyndon & L. Ali (Eds.), Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices (5th ed.). Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses/Kendall Hunt.
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Postpartum care

Lyndon, A., Wisner, K., & Hung, K. J. (2015). In Management of Labor and Delivery : Second Edition (pp. 469-509). Wiley-Blackwell. 10.1002/9781118327241.ch18
Abstract
Abstract
The overarching goal of postpartum care is to provide a safe, family-centered environment where women and providers engage in shared decision making to select treatment plans that promote physiologic and emotional adaption and family bonding. The birth process and the fourth stage of labor are dynamic and present potential risk to mother and baby. Postpartum hemorrhage remains a leading cause of maternal mortality throughout the world. Manifesting as cardiac arrest or stroke, arterial thromboembolism accounts for approximately 20% of pregnancy-associated cases of thromboembolism. Postpartum hypertension (PPHTN) is a serious and potentially underappreciated problem that may persist from pregnancy. Additional risk factors include infant characteristics such as difficult temperament, prematurity, or illness, and maternal factors such as unrealistic expectations of motherhood, low self-esteem and self-efficacy, previous depression, and a history of trauma, abuse, or perinatal loss.