The perinatal safety nurse: exemplar of transformational leadership.

There is increased attention to the issue of patient safety in the care of pregnant women and their infants. The Joint Commission has issued sentinel event alerts regarding infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. Hospitals and healthcare systems are implementing perinatal patient safety programs to minimize the risk of preventable patient harm. This article describes the role of the perinatal patient safety nurse as one aspect of a comprehensive initiative to promote patient safety for women who give birth. Nurses and organizations offering perinatal care are encouraged to incorporate the role of perinatal patient safety nurse in their patient safety efforts.