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)

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.
Abstract
Abstract
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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.

Transforming Communication and Safety Culture in Intrapartum Care : A Multi-Organization Blueprint

Lyndon, A., Johnson, M. C., Bingham, D., Napolitano, P. G., Joseph, G., Maxfield, D. G., & O'Keeffe, D. F. (2015). In Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health (Vols. 60, Issues 3, pp. 237-243). 10.1111/jmwh.12235
Abstract
Abstract
Effective, patient-centered communication facilitates interception and correction of potentially harmful conditions and errors. All team members, including women, their families, physicians, midwives, nurses, and support staff, have a role in identifying the potential for harm during labor and birth. However, the results of collaborative research studies conducted by organizations that represent professionals who care for women during labor and birth indicate that health care providers may frequently witness, but may not always report, problems with safety or clinical performance. Some of these health care providers felt resigned to the continuation of such problems and fearful of retribution if they tried to address them. Speaking up to address safety and quality concerns is a dynamic social process. Every team member must feel empowered to speak up about concerns without fear of put-downs, retribution, or receiving poor-quality care. Patient safety requires mutual accountability: individuals, teams, health care facilities, and professional associations have a shared responsibility for creating and sustaining environments of mutual respect and engaging in highly reliable perinatal care. Defects in human factors, communication, and leadership have been the leading contributors to sentinel events in perinatal care for more than a decade. Organizational commitment and executive leadership are essential to creating an environment that proactively supports safety and quality. The problem is well-known; the time for action is now.

Transforming Communication and Safety Culture in Intrapartum Care : A Multi-Organization Blueprint

Lyndon, A., Johnson, M. C., Bingham, D., Napolitano, P. G., Joseph, G., Maxfield, D. G., & O'Keeffe, D. F. (2015). In JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing (Vols. 44, Issues 3, pp. 341-349). 10.1111/1552-6909.12575
Abstract
Abstract
Effective, patient-centered communication facilitates interception and correction of potentially harmful conditions and errors. All team members, including women, their families, physicians, midwives, nurses, and support staff, have roles in identifying the potential for harm during labor and birth. However, the results of collaborative research studies conducted by organizations that represent professionals who care for women during labor and birth indicate that health care providers may frequently witness, but may not always report, problems with safety or clinical performance. Some of these health care providers felt resigned to the continuation of such problems and fearful of retribution if they tried to address them. Speaking up to address safety and quality concerns is a dynamic social process. Every team member must feel empowered to speak up about concerns without fear of put-downs, retribution, or receiving poor-quality care. Patient safety requires mutual accountability: individuals, teams, health care facilities, and professional associations have a shared responsibility for creating and sustaining environments of mutual respect and engaging in highly reliable perinatal care. Defects in human factors, communication, and leadership have been the leading contributors to sentinel events in perinatal care for more than a decade. Organizational commitment and executive leadership are essential to creating an environment that proactively supports safety and quality. The problem is well-known; the time for action is now.

Transforming communication and safety culture in intrapartum care : A multi-organization blueprint

Lyndon, A., Johnson, M. C., Bingham, D., Napolitano, P. G., Joseph, G., Maxfield, D. G., & O'Keeffe, D. F. (2015). In Obstetrics and Gynecology (Vols. 125, Issues 5, pp. 1049-1055). 10.1097/AOG.0000000000000793
Abstract
Abstract
Effective, patient-centered communication facilitates interception and correction of potentially harmful conditions and errors. All team members, including women, their families, physicians, midwives, nurses, and support staff, have a role in identifying the potential for harm during labor and birth. However, the results of collaborative research studies conducted by organizations that represent professionals who care for women during labor and birth indicate that health care providers may frequently witness, but may not always report, problems with safety or clinical performance. Some of these health care providers felt resigned to the continuation of such problems and fearful of retribution if they tried to address them. Speaking up to address safety and quality concerns is a dynamic social process. Every team member must feel empowered to speak up about concerns without fear of put-downs, retribution, or receiving poor-quality care. Patient safety requires mutual accountability: individuals, teams, health care facilities, and professional associations have a shared responsibility for creating and sustaining environments of mutual respect and engaging in highly reliable perinatal care. Defects in human factors, communication, and leadership have been the leading contributors to sentinel events in perinatal care for more than a decade. Organizational commitment and executive leadership are essential to creating an environment that proactively supports safety and quality. The problem is well-known; the time for action is now.

Transforming communication and safety culture in intrapartum care: a multi-organization blueprint

Lyndon, A., Lyndon, A., Johnson, M. C., Bingham, D., Napolitano, P. G., Joseph, G., Maxfield, D. G., & O’Keeffe, D. F. (2015). In Journal of midwifery & women’s health (Vols. 60, Issues 3, pp. 237-243).
Abstract
Abstract
Effective, patient-centered communication facilitates interception and correction of potentially harmful conditions and errors. All team members, including women, their families, physicians, midwives, nurses, and support staff, have a role in identifying the potential for harm during labor and birth. However, the results of collaborative research studies conducted by organizations that represent professionals who care for women during labor and birth indicate that health care providers may frequently witness, but may not always report, problems with safety or clinical performance. Some of these health care providers felt resigned to the continuation of such problems and fearful of retribution if they tried to address them. Speaking up to address safety and quality concerns is a dynamic social process. Every team member must feel empowered to speak up about concerns without fear of put-downs, retribution, or receiving poor-quality care. Patient safety requires mutual accountability: individuals, teams, health care facilities, and professional associations have a shared responsibility for creating and sustaining environments of mutual respect and engaging in highly reliable perinatal care. Defects in human factors, communication, and leadership have been the leading contributors to sentinel events in perinatal care for more than a decade. Organizational commitment and executive leadership are essential to creating an environment that proactively supports safety and quality. The problem is well-known; the time for action is now.

Transforming communication and safety culture in intrapartum care: a multi-organization blueprint

Lyndon, A., Lyndon, A., Johnson, M. C., Bingham, D., Napolitano, P. G., Joseph, G., Maxfield, D. G., & O’Keeffe, D. F. (2015). In Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN (Vols. 44, Issues 3, pp. 341-9).
Abstract
Abstract
Effective, patient-centered communication facilitates interception and correction of potentially harmful conditions and errors. All team members, including women, their families, physicians, midwives, nurses, and support staff, have roles in identifying the potential for harm during labor and birth. However, the results of collaborative research studies conducted by organizations that represent professionals who care for women during labor and birth indicate that health care providers may frequently witness, but may not always report, problems with safety or clinical performance. Some of these health care providers felt resigned to the continuation of such problems and fearful of retribution if they tried to address them. Speaking up to address safety and quality concerns is a dynamic social process. Every team member must feel empowered to speak up about concerns without fear of put-downs, retribution, or receiving poor-quality care. Patient safety requires mutual accountability: individuals, teams, health care facilities, and professional associations have a shared responsibility for creating and sustaining environments of mutual respect and engaging in highly reliable perinatal care. Defects in human factors, communication, and leadership have been the leading contributors to sentinel events in perinatal care for more than a decade. Organizational commitment and executive leadership are essential to creating an environment that proactively supports safety and quality. The problem is well-known; the time for action is now.

Transforming communication and safety culture in intrapartum care: a multi-organization blueprint

Lyndon, A., Lyndon, A., Johnson, M. C., Bingham, D., Napolitano, P. G., Joseph, G., Maxfield, D. G., & O’Keeffe, D. F. (2015). In Obstetrics and gynecology (Vols. 125, Issues 5, pp. 1049-1055).
Abstract
Abstract
Effective, patient-centered communication facilitates interception and correction of potentially harmful conditions and errors. All team members, including women, their families, physicians, midwives, nurses, and support staff, have a role in identifying the potential for harm during labor and birth. However, the results of collaborative research studies conducted by organizations that represent professionals who care for women during labor and birth indicate that health care providers may frequently witness, but may not always report, problems with safety or clinical performance. Some of these health care providers felt resigned to the continuation of such problems and fearful of retribution if they tried to address them. Speaking up to address safety and quality concerns is a dynamic social process. Every team member must feel empowered to speak up about concerns without fear of put-downs, retribution, or receiving poor-quality care. Patient safety requires mutual accountability: individuals, teams, health care facilities, and professional associations have a shared responsibility for creating and sustaining environments of mutual respect and engaging in highly reliable perinatal care. Defects in human factors, communication, and leadership have been the leading contributors to sentinel events in perinatal care for more than a decade. Organizational commitment and executive leadership are essential to creating an environment that proactively supports safety and quality. The problem is well-known; the time for action is now.

Contributions of Clinical Disconnections and Unresolved Conflict to Failures in Intrapartum Safety

Lyndon, A., Zlatnik, M. G., Maxfield, D. G., Lewis, A., Mcmillan, C., & Kennedy, H. P. (2014). In JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing (Vols. 43, Issue 1, pp. 2-12). 10.1111/1552-6909.12266
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To explore clinician perspectives on whether they experience difficulty resolving patient-related concerns or observe problems with the performance or behavior of colleagues involved in intrapartum care. Design: Qualitative descriptive study of physician, nursing, and midwifery professional association members. Participants and Setting: Participants (N = 1932) were drawn from the membership lists of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM), and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Methods: Email survey with multiple choice and free text responses. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analysis were used to characterize the data. Results: Forty-seven percent of participants reported experiencing situations in which patients were put at risk due to failure of team members to listen or respond to a concern. Thirty-seven percent reported unresolved concerns regarding another clinician's performance. The overarching theme was clinical disconnection, which included disconnections between clinicians about patient needs and plans of care and disconnections between clinicians and administration about the support required to provide safe and appropriate clinical care. Lack of responsiveness to concerns by colleagues and administration contributed to resignation and defeatism among participants who had experienced such situations. Conclusion: Despite encouraging progress in developing cultures of safety in individual centers and systems, significant work is needed to improve collaboration and reverse historic normalization of both systemic disrespect and overt disruptive behaviors in intrapartum care.