Staffing of anaesthesiology and resuscitation services in obstetric hospitals the Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. One of the strategies for reducing maternal mortality is to improve the provision of medical care to pregnant women, women in labor and maternity hospitals in need of intensive care. Sufficient provision of anesthesiology and intensive care units of maternity institutions with highly qualified personnel is the most important factor determining the availability and quality of medical care for women. The purpose of the study: to analyse the staffing of the anaesthesiology and resuscitation services of obstetric hospitals in the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. Based on the data of 83 subjects of the Russian Federation, the indicators of staffing (per 10,000 women of fertile age) with anaesthesiologists-resuscitators (for 2007–2022) and nurses anaesthesiologists (for 2021–2022), staffing levels and compatibility ratios of anaesthesiologist-resuscitators and nurses anaesthesiologists in obstetric hospitals of group II and III (level) (for 2022) in the Russian Federation, federal districts and subjects of the Russian Federation were analysed. Based on data from 29 subjects of the Russian Federation (for 2021), the average age of anaesthesiologists-resuscitators and nurses anaesthesiologists working in obstetric hospitals was analysed. Results. In 2007–2022, the number of anaesthesiologists-resuscitators in obstetric hospitals of the Russian Federation increased by 27.2 %, and the availability of anaesthesiologists-resuscitators (per 10,000 women of fertile age) increased by 43.9 %. The number of nurse anaesthesiologists in obstetric hospitals in 2021–2022 increased by 0.8 %, the availability of nurse anaesthetists (per 10,000 women of fertile age) decreased by 0.8 %. In 2022, the staffing level of anaesthesiologists-resuscitators in obstetric hospitals of Group II was 85.6 %, Group III – 86.0 %, and nurses anaesthesiologists – 87.8 % and 88.4%, respectively. The compatibility rate of anaesthesiologists-resuscitators in obstetric hospitals of group II was 1.42, group III – 1.53, and nurse anaesthesiologists – 1.23 and 1.34 respectively (2022). The average age of anaesthesiologists-resuscitators working in obstetric hospitals was 43.3 ± 4.3 years, nurse anaesthesiologists – 42.1 ± 3.9 years (2021). Conclusion. In order to eliminate staff shortages, it is necessary to implement measures to attract medical staff in the anaesthesiology and resuscitation services of obstetric institutions, which will decrease the burden on medical staff and prevent maternal deaths.