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)

Nurses' perceptions of critical issues requiring consideration in the development of guidelines for professional registered nurse staffing for perinatal units

Lyndon, A., Simpson, K. R., Lyndon, A., Wilson, J., & Ruhl, C. (2012). (Vols. 41, Issues 4, pp. 474-82).
Abstract
Abstract
To solicit input from registered nurse members of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) on critical considerations for review and revision of existing nurse staffing guidelines.

Predictors of likelihood of speaking up about safety concerns in labour and delivery

Lyndon, A., Sexton, J. B., Simpson, K. R., Rosenstein, A., Lee, K. A., & Wachter, R. M. (2012). (Vols. 21, Issues 9, pp. 791-799). 10.1136/bmjqs-2010-050211
Abstract
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Background: Despite widespread emphasis on promoting 'assertive communication' by care givers as essential to patient-safety-improvement efforts, little is known about when and how clinicians speak up to address safety concerns. In this cross-sectional study, the authors use a new measure of speaking up to begin exploring this issue in maternity care. Methods: The authors developed a scenario-based measure of clinician's assessment of potential harm and likelihood of speaking up in response to perceived harm. The authors embedded this scale in a survey with measures of safety climate, teamwork climate, disruptive behaviour, work stress, and personality traits of bravery and assertiveness. The survey was distributed to all registered nurses and obstetricians practising in two US Labour & Delivery units. Results: The response rate was 54% (125 of 230 potential respondents). Respondents were experienced clinicians (13.7611 years in specialty). A higher perception of harm, respondent role, specialty experience and site predicted the likelihood of speaking up when controlling for bravery and assertiveness. Physicians rated potential harm in common clinical scenarios lower than nurses did (7.5 vs 8.4 on 2-10 scale; p

Quality patient care in labor and delivery : A call to action

Lawrence, H. C., Copel, J. A., O'Keeffe, D. F., Bradford, W. C., Scarrow, P. K., Kennedy, H. P., Grobman, W., Johnson, M. C., Simpson, K. R., Lyndon, A., Wade, K., Peddicord, K., Bingham, D., & Olden, C. R. (2012). (Vols. 207, Issues 3, pp. 147-148). 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.07.018
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Antenatal steroid administration for premature neonates in California

Lee, H. C., Lyndon, A., Blumenfeld, Y. J., Dudley, R. A., & Gould, J. B. (2011). (Vols. 117, Issues 3, pp. 603-609). 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31820c3c9b
Abstract
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To estimate risk factors for premature neonates not receiving antenatal steroids in a population-based cohort and to determine whether the gains of a quality-improvement collaborative project on antenatal steroid administration were sustained long-term. METHODS: Clinical data for premature neonates born in 2005-2007 were obtained from the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative, which collects data on more than 90% of neonatal admissions in California. Eligible neonates had a birth weight of less than 1,500 g or gestational age less than 34 weeks and were born at a Collaborative hospital. These data were linked to administrative data from California Vital Statistics. Sociodemographic and medical risk factors for not receiving antenatal steroids were determined. We also examined the effect of birth hospital participation in a previous quality-improvement collaborative project. A random effects logistic regression model was used to determine independent risk factors. RESULTS: Of 15,343 eligible neonates, 23.1% did not receive antenatal steroids in 2005-2007. Hispanic mothers (25.6%), mothers younger than age 20 (27.6%), and those without prenatal care (52.2%) were less likely to receive antenatal steroids. Mothers giving birth vaginally (26.8%) and mothers with a diagnosis of fetal distress (26.5%) were also less likely to receive antenatal steroids. Rupture of membranes before delivery and multiple gestations were associated with higher likelihood of antenatal steroid administration. Hospitals that participated in a quality-improvement collaborative in 1999-2000 had higher rates of antenatal steroid administration (85% compared with 69%, P

Antenatal steroid administration for premature neonates in California

Lyndon, A., Lee, H. C., Lyndon, A., Blumenfeld, Y. J., Dudley, R. A., & Gould, J. B. (2011). (Vols. 117, Issues 3, pp. 603-609).
Abstract
Abstract
To estimate risk factors for premature neonates not receiving antenatal steroids in a population-based cohort and to determine whether the gains of a quality-improvement collaborative project on antenatal steroid administration were sustained long-term.

Effective physician-nurse communication : A patient safety essential for labor and delivery

Lyndon, A., Zlatnik, M. G., & Wachter, R. M. (2011). (Vols. 205, Issues 2, pp. 91-96). 10.1016/j.ajog.2011.04.021
Abstract
Abstract
Effective communication is a hallmark of safe patient care. Challenges to effective interprofessional communication in maternity care include differing professional perspectives on clinical management, steep hierarchies, and lack of administrative support for change. We review principles of high reliability as they apply to communication in clinical care and discuss principles of effective communication and conflict management in maternity care. Effective clinical communication is respectful, clear, direct, and explicit. We use a clinical scenario to illustrate an historic style of nurse-physician communication and demonstrate how communication can be improved to promote trust and patient safety. Consistent execution of successful communication requires excellent listening skills, superb administrative support, and collective commitment to move past traditional hierarchy and professional stereotyping.

Effective physician-nurse communication: a patient safety essential for labor and delivery

Lyndon, A., Lyndon, A., Zlatnik, M. G., & Wachter, R. M. (2011). (Vols. 205, Issues 2, pp. 91-6).
Abstract
Abstract
Effective communication is a hallmark of safe patient care. Challenges to effective interprofessional communication in maternity care include differing professional perspectives on clinical management, steep hierarchies, and lack of administrative support for change. We review principles of high reliability as they apply to communication in clinical care and discuss principles of effective communication and conflict management in maternity care. Effective clinical communication is respectful, clear, direct, and explicit. We use a clinical scenario to illustrate an historic style of nurse-physician communication and demonstrate how communication can be improved to promote trust and patient safety. Consistent execution of successful communication requires excellent listening skills, superb administrative support, and collective commitment to move past traditional hierarchy and professional stereotyping.

Important work of this skilled group of maternity nurses.

Lyndon, A. (2011). (Vols. 34, Issues 4).
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Letter to the editor

Lyndon, A. (2011). (Vols. 34, Issues 4). 10.1097/ANS.0b013e318231e2dc
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Predicting Likelihood of Speaking Up in Labor & Delivery

Lyndon, A., Sexton, J. B., Simpson, K. R., Rosenstein, A. H., Lee, K., & Wachter, R. M. (2011). (Vols. 40, pp. S117-S118). 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2011.01243_39.x
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