Maternity patient safety program improves health outcomes for newborns, mothers
A Canadian study is showing a positive way forward for making childbirth safer for mothers and babies, and reducing the devastating impact of malpractice on newborn children.
The Canadian “Managing Obstetrical Risk Efficiently” (MOREOB) patient safety program has a measurable, positive impact on the health of mothers and babies, according to a study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.
According to the study, the program results in a significant reduction in severe morbidity for newborns, as measured by the rate of serious complications such as respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and severe intraventricular hemorrhage. For mothers, there was a significant reduction in third- and fourth-degree vaginal tears and length of stay in hospital.
MOREOB is a comprehensive, three-year, patient safety, professional development and performance improvement program for caregivers and administrators in hospital obstetrics units. The program structure's first priority is safety, followed by effective communication, teamwork, decreased hierarchy in emergencies, practice for emergencies, and reflective learning. It integrates evidence-based professional practice standards and guidelines with current and evolving patient safety concepts, principles and tools.
By learning and working together in their own practice environment, health-care teams use the shared knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviors that contribute to safe, effective, patient-centered care in an efficient, collaborative, healthy practice environment.
“MOREOB is an innovative program that seeks to ensure that every pregnant woman receives optimal care. With the results of this new study, it is hoped that many other North American hospitals will emulate Alberta, and make MOREOB a key component of their hospitals’ training, standards and approach to obstetrical patient care,’ said Dr. André Lalonde, Executive Vice-President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.
Source:
Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
You can view SOGC's press release here.
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