Obstetrics Outcomes Can Be Improved with Quality Initiatives

A new study finds that there can be a significant reduction in the rate of obstetrics adverse events through the use of a multifaceted quality program. The findings of the study have been published in the Journal for Healthcare Quality, and the researchers believe that comprehensive staff training programs can help improve obstetrics outcomes dramatically.

The researchers developed a two-year obstetrics safety program, which they then implemented at the North Shore University Hospital and LIJ Medical Center, NY. All staff members of the obstetrics wing of the hospitals were included in the initiative. They were required to complete a training program that included evidence-based protocols to reduce the incidence of adverse events.
The researchers found that the incidence of some of the most common adverse events that Atlanta medical malpractice lawyers come across, like a return to the operating room after delivery or birth trauma, decreased significantly after the training program was implemented. The decline was more than 50%. Before the training program, the incidence of such adverse outcomes was about 2%. After the training program, the incidence of adverse events was reduced to about .8%. The researchers also found that the staff was able to maintain these positive outcomes over a two-year study period.

The researchers also found substantial differences in the staff attitudes towards and perception of safety, documentation of adverse events and abnormal fetal heart tracing. The researchers are concluding that a staff training program that includes evidence-based protocols, standardized documentation, standardized electronic fetal monitoring, simulation of high risk emergencies and facilitation of communication is vital to reduce the risk of adverse events. Training must be imparted to entire teams in obstetrics wings for the initiative to be successful.

Attorney Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, automobile accident cases, personal injury cases, dental malpractice and medical malpractice lawsuits for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years in and around Atlanta, Georgia and its surrounding areas, including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured and would like quality legal representation, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.