Impact of an Obstetrical Hospitalist Program on the Safety Events in a Mid-Sized Obstetrical Unit

Abstract

Objective Because internal medicine hospitalist programs were developed to address issues in medicine such as a need to improve quality, improve efficiency, and decrease healthcare cost, obstetrical (OB) hospitalist models were developed to address needs specific to the obstetrics and gynecology field. Our objective was to compare outcomes measured by occurrence of safety events before and after implementation of an OB hospitalist program in a mid-sized OB unit. Methods From July 2012 to September 2014, 11 safety events occurred on the labor and delivery floor. A full-time OB hospitalist program was implemented in October 2014. Results From October 2014 to December 2016, there was 1 safety event associated with labor and delivery. Conclusion It has been speculated that implementation of an OB hospitalist model would be associated with improved maternal and neonatal outcomes; our regional OB referral hospital demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in OB safety events after the OB hospitalist program implementation.

The workload of obstetric doctors working in different modes at a medical center

“…A previous study also demonstrated a significantly eliminated obstetrical safety events from 11 to 0 following the OB hospitalist implementation[ 13 ]. Another previous study also proved that OB hospitalists could increase the vaginal birth after cesarean rate and decreased the C-section rate[ 14 ].…”

Use of Obstetric and Gynecologic Hospitalists Is Associated With Decreased Severe Maternal Morbidity in the United States

“…[11][12][13][14] Another study demonstrated a decrease in obstetric safety events after implementation of an obstetric hospitalist program. 15 One area of concern in our specialty is the rising mortality rate in the United States, which seems to be rising fastest for women of color. [16][17][18] It has been postulated that Ob/Gyn hospitalists are well positioned to improve maternal mortality and its proxy, maternal morbidity.…”

“…Other studies have shown a decrease in cesarean delivery rates and an increase in vaginal birth after cesarean rates with hospitalist programs 11–14 . Another study demonstrated a decrease in obstetric safety events after implementation of an obstetric hospitalist program 15 . One area of concern in our specialty is the rising mortality rate in the United States, which seems to be rising fastest for women of color 16–18 .…”