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)

Skilful anticipation : Maternity nurses' perspectives on maintaining safety

Lyndon, A., & Lyndon, A. (2010). In Quality and Safety in Health Care (Vols. 19, Issues 5). 10.1136/qshc.2007.024547
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Objective To describe maternity nurses' perspectives on how they contribute to safety during labour and birth at two urban academic medical centres in the United States. Design Grounded theory: data were collected using semistructured, open-ended interviews and participant observations with registered nurses (RNs) in two inpatient maternity settings. Data were analysed simultaneously using constant comparison, and dimensional and situational analysis. Participants Purposive sample of 12 RNs working in the two maternity units. Findings Safety was broadly conceptualised by RNs as protecting the physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing of a woman and her family. During labour and birth, safety was maintained by RNs through "skilful anticipation" of situational potential. This required integration of medical and technical knowledge and skill with intimate knowledge of the woman and the operational context of care to achieve accurate situation awareness and appropriate future planning. Conditions and processes promoting skilful anticipation included being prepared, knowing, and envisioning the whole picture. Conclusions In the two settings, maternity RNs made active contributions to safe birth in the context of constrained resources through preparing the environment, anticipating potential problems and trapping errors before they reached the patient. The contributions of maternity nurses to team situation awareness and to creating safety need to be appreciated and administratively supported. Continued research with RNs may reveal previously unrecognised opportunities for safety improvements.

Clinical disagreements during labor and birth : How does real life compare to best practice?

Simpson, K. R., & Lyndon, A. (2009). In MCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing (Vols. 34, Issue 1, pp. 31-39). 10.1097/01.NMC.0000343863.72237.2b
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: To describe how nurses would respond in common clinical situations involving disagreement with physician colleagues during labor and birth. Study Design and Methods: An electronic survey, consisting of five clinical disagreement case scenarios along with two open-ended questions regarding how to promote effective interdisciplinary communication and collaboration, was administered via a secure Web site. Seven hundred four obstetric nurses in a mid-size metropolitan area were invited to participate via mail. One hundred thirty-three nurses responded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis of open-ended text responses. Results: Respondents were primarily aged ≥40, experienced in labor nursing, and held a BSN; 35% were members of the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, 35% were certified in electronic fetal monitoring, and 33% were certified in inpatient obstetrics. In all five scenarios, most nurses were aware of current evidence and published standards of care (range 52%-86%). However, there was a wide discrepancy between current evidence/standards and what nurses indicated would occur in actual clinical practice. Clinical Implications: In this well-educated and knowledgeable sample of experienced labor nurses, reports of what would occur in clinical practice did not match current evidence or standards of care. Adequate nursing knowledge may not be an accurate predictor of appropriate clinical practice. Confidence in administrative support appears to be one of the key factors in empowering nurses to pursue resolution of disagreements in patients' best interests, whereas medical hierarchy, fear, and intimidation are significant barriers.

Clinical disagreements during labor and birth: how does real life compare to best practice?

Lyndon, A., Simpson, K. R., & Lyndon, A. (2009). In MCN. The American journal of maternal child nursing (Vols. 34, Issue 1, pp. 31-9).
Abstract
Abstract
To describe how nurses would respond in common clinical situations involving disagreement with physician colleagues during labor and birth.

Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices

Lyndon, A., & Ali, L. (2009). (4th ed.). Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses/Kendall Hunt.
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Interpretation of Fetal Heart Monitoring

Lyndon, A., O'Brien-Abel, N., & Simpson, K. (2009). In A. Lyndon & L. Ali (Eds.), Fetal Heart Monitoring Principles and Practices (4th ed.). Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, & Neonatal Nurses/Kendall Hunt.
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Social and environmental conditions creating fluctuating agency for safety in two urban academic birth centers

Lyndon, A. (2008). In JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing (Vols. 37, Issue 1, pp. 13-23). 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2007.00204.x
Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To identify processes affecting agency for safety among perinatal nurses, physicians, and certified nurse-midwives. Design: Grounded theory, as informed by Strauss and Schatzman. Setting: Two academic perinatal units in the western United States. Participants: Purposive sample of 12 registered nurses, 5 physicians, and 2 certified nurse-midwives. Findings: Agency for safety (the willingness to take a stand on an issue of concern) fluctuated for all types of providers depending on situational context and was strongly influenced by interpersonal relationships. While physicians and certified nurse-midwives believed that they valued nurses' contributions to care, their units had deeply embedded hierarchies. Nurses were structurally excluded from important sources of information exchange and from contributing to the plan of care. Nurses'confidence was a key driver for asserting their concerns. Confidence was undermined in novel or ambiguous situations and by poor interpersonal relationships, resulting in a process of redefining the situation as a problem of self. Conclusions: Women and babies should not be dependent on the interpersonal relationships of providers for their safety. Clinicians should be aware of the complex social pressures that can affect clinical decision making. Continued research is needed to fully articulate facilitators and barriers to perinatal safety.

Social and environmental conditions creating fluctuating agency for safety in two urban academic birth centers

Lyndon, A., & Lyndon, A. (2008). In Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN (Vols. 37, Issue 1, pp. 13-23).
Abstract
Abstract
To identify processes affecting agency for safety among perinatal nurses, physicians, and certified nurse-midwives.

Tensions and teamwork in nursing and midwifery relationships

Kennedy, H. P., & Lyndon, A. (2008). In JOGNN - Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing (Vols. 37, Issues 4, pp. 426-435). 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2008.00256.x
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Objective: To explore the practice of midwifery within a busy urban tertiary hospital birth setting and to present findings on the relationships between nurses and midwives in providing maternity care. Design/Method: A focused ethnography on midwifery practice conducted over 2 years (2004-2006) in a teaching hospital serving a primarily Medicaid-eligible population in Northern California. Data were collected through participant observations and in-depth interviews with midwives (N = 11) and nurses (N = 14). Practices and relationships among the midwives and nurses were examined in an ethnographic framework through thematic analysis. Findings: Two themes described the nature of nursing-midwifery relationships: tension and teamwork. Tension existed in philosophic approaches to care, definitions of safe practice, communication, and respect. Teamwork existed when the midwives and nurses worked in partnership with the woman to develop a plan of care. Changes were brought about to improve the midwife-nurse relationship during the conduct of the study. Conclusions: Midwives and nurses experienced day-to-day challenges in providing optimal care for childbearing women. The power of effective teamwork was profound, as was the tension when communication broke down. Failure to include nurses resulted in impaired translation of evidence into practice. All stakeholders in birth practices and policy development must be involved in future research in order to develop effective maternity care models.

Tensions and teamwork in nursing and midwifery relationships

Lyndon, A., Kennedy, H. P., & Lyndon, A. (2008). In Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN (Vols. 37, Issues 4, pp. 426-35).
Abstract
Abstract
To explore the practice of midwifery within a busy urban tertiary hospital birth setting and to present findings on the relationships between nurses and midwives in providing maternity care.

Cardiac disease during pregnancy

Lyndon, A., Lyndon, A., Arafeh, J. M., & Bakewell-Sachs, S. (2006). In The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing (Vols. 20, Issues 4, pp. 277-8).
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