The development and implementation of checklists in obstetrics

The Effect of an Oxytocin Decision Support Checklist on Oxytocin Use and Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

 To assess the association between use of an oxytocin decision support checklist with oxytocin usage and clinical outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

 We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with singleton gestations at 370/7 weeks or greater who received oxytocin during labor from October 2012 to February 2017 at an integrated community health care system during three exposure periods: (1) pre-checklist; (2) after paper checklist implementation; and (3) after checklist integration into the electronic medical record (EMR). The checklist was a clinical decision support tool to standardize the dosing and management of oxytocin. Thus, our primary outcomes included oxytocin infusion rates and cumulative dose. Secondary outcomes included maternal and neonatal outcomes. We controlled for maternal risk factors with multivariable regression analysis and stratified by mode of delivery.

RESULTS

 A total of 34,269 deliveries were included. Unadjusted analyses showed that compared with pre-checklist, deliveries during the paper and EMR-integrated periods had a lower cumulative dose (4,670 ± 6,174 vs. 4,318 ± 5,719 and 4,286 ± 5,579 mU, p < 0.001 for both), lower maximal infusion rate (9.9 ± 6.8 vs. 8.7 ± 5.8 and 8.4 ± 5.6 mU/min, p < 0.001 for both), and longer duration of oxytocin use (576 ± 442 vs. 609 ± 476 and 627 ± 488 minutes, p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). The unadjusted rates of cesarean, 5-minute Apgar <7, mechanical ventilation, and neonatal hospital length of stay were similar between periods. The adjusted mean difference in time from admission to delivery was longer during the EMR-integrated period compared with pre-checklist (3.0 [95% confidence interval: 2.7-3.3] hours, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

 Oxytocin checklist use was associated with decreased oxytocin use patterns at the expense of longer labor times. Findings were more pronounced with EMR integration.

KEY POINTS

· An oxytocin decision support checklist is associated with reduced amounts of oxytocin used.. · However, checklists were associated with longer duration of oxytocin use and of labor.. · Results were more pronounced in the EMR-integrated checklist compared with paper checklist..

Hospital padrino: a collaborative strategy model to tackle maternal mortality: a mixed methods study in a middle-income region

Background

Reducing maternal mortality ratio (MMR) remains a paramount goal for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially after COVID-19's devastating impact on maternal health indicators. We describe our experience implementing the Hospital Padrino Strategy (HPS), a collaborative model between a high-complexity hospital (Fundación Valle del Lili) and 43 medium- and low-complexity hospitals in one Colombian department (an administrative and territorial division) from 2021 to 2022, to sustain the trend towards reducing MMR. The study aimed to assess the effects of implementing HPS on both hospital performance and maternal health indicators in Valle del Cauca department (VCD).

Methods

A mixed-methods study was conducted, comprising two phases. In the first phase, we investigated a cohort of hospitals through prospective follow-up to assess the outcomes of HPS implementation on hospital performance and maternal health indicators in VCD. In the second phase, qualitative data were collected through focus groups with 131 health workers from 33 hospitals to explore the implications of the HPS implementation on healthcare personnel. All data were obtained from records within the HPS implementation and from the Health Secretary of VCD.

Findings

Evidence shows that in the context of HPS, 51 workshops involved 980 healthcare workers, covering the entire territory. Substantial improvements were observed in hospital conditions and healthcare personnel's technical competencies when providing obstetric care. Seven hundred eighty-five pregnant women with obstetric or perinatal emergencies received care through telehealth systems, with a progressive increase in technology adoption. Nine percent required Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, and none died. The MMR decreased from 78.8 in 2021 to 12.0 cases per 100,000 live births by 2022. Improvements in indicators and conducted training sessions instilled confidence and empowerment among the healthcare teams in the sponsored hospitals, as evidenced in focus groups derived from a sample of 131 healthcare workers from 33 hospitals.

Interpretation

Implementing the Hospital Padrino Strategy led to a significant MMR reduction, and consolidated a model of social healthcare innovation replicable in LMICs.

Funding

The Hospital Padrino Strategy was funded by the Fundación Valle del Lili and the Health Secretary of Valle del Cauca. Furthermore, this study received funding from a general grant for research from Tecnoquimicas S.A.

Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health: Consensus Bundle on Cardiac Conditions in Obstetric Care

Cardiac conditions are the leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths and disproportionately affect non-Hispanic Black people. Multidisciplinary maternal mortality review committees have found that most people who died from cardiac conditions during pregnancy or postpartum were not diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease before death and that more than 80% of all pregnancy-related deaths, regardless of cause, were preventable. In addition, other obstetric complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, are associated with future cardiovascular disease risk. Those with cardiac risk factors and those with congenital and acquired heart disease require specialized care during pregnancy and postpartum to minimize risk of preventable morbidity and mortality. This bundle provides guidance for health care teams to develop coordinated, multidisciplinary care for pregnant and postpartum people with cardiac conditions and to respond to cardio-obstetric emergencies. This bundle is one of several core patient safety bundles developed by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health that provide condition- or event-specific clinical practices for implementation in appropriate care settings. The Cardiac Conditions in Obstetric Care bundle is organized into five domains: 1) Readiness , 2) Recognition and Prevention , 3) Response , 4) Reporting and Systems Learning , and 5) Respectful Care . This bundle is the first by the Alliance to be developed with the fifth domain of Respectful Care . The Respectful Care domain provides essential best practices to support respectful, equitable, and supportive care to all patients. Further health equity considerations are integrated into elements in each domain.

Use of 'Printed Investigation Sheet' as Checklist in Admitted Antenatal Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Background

The study was conducted to establish use of printed investigation sheets as checklists for timely workup and clinical evaluation of antenatal women with medical diseases; admitted in maternity ward, by third day of their hospital admission. This was aimed to standardize care, avoid repeated blood sampling of patients, avoid delay in starting the treatment and help teams perform optimally by systematic use of quality improvement (QI) tools.

Methods

The present study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a tertiary care teaching hospital using point-of-care quality improvement methodology systematically. A QI team was made who formulated an aim statement, conducted a root-cause analysis, performed plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. The outcome was measured as complete clinical evaluation of antenatal women with anaemia, hypertension, and/or diabetes by third day of admission in the maternity ward.

Results

The baseline data showed that median percentage of patients with complete clinical evaluation was only 29.2%. After a root-cause analysis with fishbone tool, three PDSA cycles were conducted to achieve the target of 80%. After the third PDSA cycle, complete clinical evaluation in anaemia, hypertension, diabetes showed an improving trend with a median of 75%.

Conclusion

Adopting simple principles of quality improvement, initiating use of printed investigation sheets as checklist can streamline and expedite clinical evaluation of antenatal patients with medical problems so as to avoid unnecessary delay in initiating the management in busy maternity wards.

Peripartum care of persons with obesity: a scoping review of recommendations and practical tools for implementation

OBJECTIVE

Despite the growing prevalence of obesity among reproductive aged persons in the USA, evidence-based guidelines for peripartum care are lacking. The objective of this scoping review is to identify obesity-related recommendations for peripartum care, evaluate grades of evidence for each recommendation, and identify practical tools (eg, checklists, toolkits, care pathways and bundles) to support their implementation in clinical practice.

DATA SOURCES

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to December 2020 for eligible studies addressing peripartum care in persons with obesity.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Inclusion criteria were published evidence-rated recommendations and practical tools for peripartum care of persons with obesity.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

Pairs of independent reviewers extracted data (source, publication year, content and number of recommendations, level and grade of evidence, description of tool) and identified similarities and differences among the articles.

RESULTS

Of 18 315 screened articles, 18 were included including 7 articles with evidence-rated recommendations and 11 practical tools (3 checklists, 3 guidelines, 1 care bundle, 1 flowchart, 1 care pathway, 1 care map and 1 protocol). Thirteen of 39 evidence-rated recommendations were based on expert opinion. Recommendations related to surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and subcutaneous tissue closure at caesarean delivery received the highest grade of evidence. Some of the practical tools included a checklist from the USA regarding anticoagulation after caesarean delivery (evidence-supported recommendation), a bundle for surgical site infections after caesarean delivery in Australia (evidence did not support recommendation) and a checklist with content for several aspects of peripartum care from Canada (evidence supported seven of nine definitive recommendations).

CONCLUSION

The recommendations for peripartum care for persons with obesity are based on limited evidence and few practical tools for implementation exist. Future work should focus on developing practical tools based on high-quality studies.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Postpartum visit checklists for normal pregnancy and complicated pregnancy

Rising maternal morbidity and mortality rates, widening healthcare disparities, and increasing focus on cardiometabolic risk modification in at-risk patients have together catalyzed a shift in the postpartum care paradigm. What was once a single office visit in the 6 weeks after delivery is now being reimagined as a continuum of care that transitions patients from pregnancy to life-long health optimization. However, this shift in postpartum care also comes with increased visit complexity and additional provider burden, particularly when patients have had significant pregnancy complications or have chronic diseases. To ensure that the comprehensive needs of both healthy and medically complex people are consistently met under this revised postpartum care paradigm, a postpartum visit checklist for uncomplicated postpartum patients and another checklist for those with major medical or obstetric morbidities are presented. These checklists are designed to ensure that essential elements of physical and mental well-being are routinely considered, that adequate follow-up or specialty referrals are made, and that relevant future health risks are appropriately reviewed and discussed.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Checklist for pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization

The management of pregnancies resulting from in vitro fertilization includes several recommended interventions at various times by various providers. To minimize the chance of errors of omission, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine presents a patient-oriented checklist summarizing the recommended management of such pregnancies.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Surgical safety checklists for cesarean delivery

The routine use of surgical safety checklists can reduce perioperative complications. Generic surgical safety checklists are insufficient for cesarean delivery because each cesarean delivery involves 2 patients (the mother and the fetus or newborn), each with separate care teams and health and safety considerations. To address the added complexity of care coordination and communication inherent in cesarean delivery, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine presents sample standard surgical safety checklists for cesarean delivery that include elements of care for both the mother and newborn. In addition, we present an alternative checklist for time-critical emergency cesarean deliveries in which there is no time to safely perform the standard checklist and a sample preoperative checklist for use before moving the patient to the operating room. We also recommend steps for implementation of the checklists at individual facilities.

Effect of a quality improvement intervention with safety-based checklists for perinatal health of hypertension disorders in pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To improve perinatal management for hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) using checklists.

METHODS

A pre-post evaluation of the implementation of checklists was performed. The checklist for HDP was adapted for the local context through expert consultations and had been used within peripartum since September 2017. Data of 763 women with singleton pregnancies diagnosed with HDP were collected between April 2016 and March 2019 at the Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University. The monitoring and control groups consisted of 394 and 369 cases, respectively. Analysis was carried out by intention-to-treat with respect to maternal and fetal complications and delivery outcomes.

RESULTS

After the implementation of the checklists, patients had a significant reduction in anti-hypertensive treatment both orally (P = 0.028) and intravenously (P = 0.003), and increased utilization rate of MgSO₄ management (P < 0.001). Gestation was prolonged in the expectant treatment (P = 0.012) and the rate of elective and intrapartum cesarean delivery decreased (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). The neonates of these patients had a low rate of admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

National clinical guidelines complied critically after the implementation of the checklists. These checklists could be used for improving the quality of the clinical strategy and treatment, which benefitted perinatal management.

Rapid Cycle Implementation and Retrospective Evaluation of a SARS-CoV-2 Checklist in Labor and Delivery

Background

Preparedness efforts for a COVID-19 outbreak required redesign and implementation of a perioperative workflow for the management of obstetric patients. In this report we describe factors which influenced rapid cycle implementation of a novel comprehensive checklist for the perioperative care of the COVID-19 parturient.

Methods

Within our labour and delivery unit, implementation of a novel checklist for the COVID-19 parturient requiring perioperative care was accomplished through rapid cycling, debriefing and on-site walkthroughs. Post-implementation, consistent use of the checklist was reported for all obstetric COVID-19 perioperative cases (100% workflow checklist utilization). Retrospective analysis of the factors influencing implementation was performed using a group deliberation approach, mapped against the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

Results

Analysis of factors influencing implementation using CFIR revealed domains of process implementation and innovation characteristics as overwhelming facilitators for success. Constructs within the outer setting, inner setting, and characteristic of individuals (external pressures, baseline culture, and personal attributes) were perceived to act as early barriers. Constructs such as communication culture and learning climate, shifted in influence over time.

Conclusion

We describe the influential factors of implementing a novel comprehensive obstetric workflow for care of the COVID-19 perioperative parturient during the first surge of the pandemic using the CFIR framework. Early workflow adoption was facilitated primarily by two domains, namely thoughtful innovation design and careful implementation planning in the setting of a long-standing culture of improvement. Factors initially assessed as barriers such as communication, culture and learning climate, transitioned into facilitators once a perceived benefit was experienced by healthcare teams. These results provide important information for the implementation of rapid change during a time of crisis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06787-5.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Checklist for initial management of amniotic fluid embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare syndrome characterized by sudden cardiorespiratory collapse during labor or soon after delivery. Because of its rarity, many obstetrical providers have no experience in managing amniotic fluid embolism and may therefore benefit from a cognitive aid such as a checklist. We present a sample checklist for the initial management of amniotic fluid embolism based on standard management guidelines. We also suggest steps that each facility can take to implement the checklist effectively.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Updated checklist for antepartum care of pregestational diabetes mellitus

Pregnancy in women with pregestational diabetes mellitus (type 1 and type 2) carries increased risks of both maternal and neonatal complications due to maternal hyperglycemia and underlying chronic conditions and comorbidities. To reduce the risk of pregnancy complications or to mitigate their effects, numerous interventions are recommended at various times during pregnancy. Since 2016, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine has posted a Diabetes Antepartum Checklist on its website. An updated version of this checklist is presented here, along with suggestions for implementation into the standard antenatal care of patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Updated checklists for management of monochorionic twin pregnancy

Approximately 20% of twin pregnancies are monochorionic. The management of monochorionic twin pregnancy involves several additional interventions beyond the routine management of singletons or dichorionic twins. In 2015, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine posted checklists for monochorionic/diamniotic twins and monochorionic/monoamniotic twins. The Society presents updated versions of these 2 checklists reflecting recent changes in practice recommendations. Suggestions for implementing the use of the checklists into antenatal care practices are also included.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: A maternal transport briefing form and checklist

When performing a maternal transport between two facilities, numerous pieces of information must be communicated between physicians, nurses, and transport personnel, including the health status of 2 patients (mother and fetus), availability of bed space and personnel in 2 units at the receiving facility (labor and delivery unit and neonatal intensive care unit), arrangements for transportation, and inpatient and outpatient records. The amount and complexity of information creates a risk of medical error due to communication lapses. A cognitive aid such as a standardized form can help the team prepare for a transfer and provide a consistent framework for a handoff briefing among healthcare professionals. SMFM presents a sample briefing form to ensure that key elements are communicated for every maternal transport. Practical suggestions are given to help facilities customize the form and implement it on their units.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Updated checklists for pregnancy management in persons with HIV

Optimal management of HIV-positive pregnant individuals involves many specific interventions made by many healthcare professionals at specific time-points before, during, and after pregnancy. Errors of omission are likely unless those professionals use a cognitive aid such as a checklist as a reminder of critical steps. In this document, SMFM presents updated and expanded checklists to help ensure that all relevant elements are considered for every person with HIV during prepregnancy, antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum periods. The checklists are intended to be used as tools to facilitate the care of individuals with HIV during all phases of pregnancy care. Their use should improve the safety of HIV-positive patients by ensuring that appropriate treatment is given and relevant information is shared with consultative services. Routine use should also facilitate improved documentation, communication, and continuity of care before, during, and after pregnancy.

Automatic generation of checklists from business process model and notation (BPMN) models for surgical assist systems

Checklists are a valuable tool to ensure process quality and quality of care. To ensure proper integration in clinical processes, it would be desirable to generate checklists directly from formal process descriptions. Those checklists could also be used for user interaction in context-aware surgical assist systems. We built a tool to automatically convert Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) process models to checklists displayed as HTML websites. Gateways representing decisions are mapped to checklist items that trigger dynamic content loading based on the placed checkmark. The usability of the resulting system was positively evaluated regarding comprehensibility and end-user friendliness.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Checklists for preeclampsia risk-factor screening to guide recommendations for prophylactic low-dose aspirin

In pregnant individuals with risk factors for preeclampsia, prophylactic low-dose aspirin is recommended to reduce the risk of developing preeclampsia. Fifteen distinct risk factors are recognized, including elements of current and past medical and obstetrical history, family history, and examination findings. We present checklists intended to reduce the chance that risk factors might be inadvertently overlooked and to improve the probability of aspirin being recommended for all appropriate candidates. We also suggest how such a checklist can be implemented into practice.

Checklists, Huddles, and Debriefs: Critical Tools to Improve Team Performance in Obstetrics

Checklists, huddles, and debriefs are tools being more commonly adopted in health care with the goal to achieve a safer health system. Details regarding what, how and when to implement these tools in different circumstances related to women's health are described in this review.

Checklist design and implementation: critical considerations to improve patient safety for low-frequency, high-risk patient events

Purpose: This pilot project describes the development and implementation of two specialised aviation-style checklist designs for a low-frequency high-risk patient population in a cardiac intensive care unit. The effect of the checklist design as well as the implementation strategies on patient outcomes and adherence to best practice guidelines were also explored. The long-term objective was to improve adherence to accepted processes of care by establishing the checklists as standard practice thereby improving patient safety and outcomes.

Methods: During this project, 10specialised crisis checklists using two specific aviation-style designs were developed. A quasiexperimental prospective pre-post repeated measure design including surveys along with repetitive simulations were used to evaluate self-confidence and self-efficacy over time as well as the perceived utility, ease of use, fit into workflow and benefits of the checklists use to patients. Performance, patient outcomes and manikin outcomes were also used to evaluate the effectiveness of the crisis checklists on provider behaviours and patient outcomes.

Results: Overall self-confidence and self-confidence related to skills and knowledge while not significant demonstrated clinically relevant improvements that were sustained over time. Perceptions of the checklists were positive with consistent utilisation sustained over time. More importantly, use of the checklists demonstrated a reduction in errors both in the simulated and clinical setting.

Conclusion: Recommendations from this study consist of key considerations for development and implementation of checklists including: utilisation of stakeholders in the development phase; implementation in real and simulated environments; and ongoing reinforcement and training to sustain use.

SMFM Special Statement: Operative vaginal delivery: checklists for performance and documentation

The frequency of operative vaginal delivery has been declining, even though it can be an attractive alternative to cesarean delivery in selected cases. Performance of operative vaginal delivery required consideration of many indications, contraindications, and prerequisites. Optimal documentation of operative vaginal delivery requires the recording of several specific elements that are unique to forceps or vacuum delivery. A cognitive aid such as a checklist is well suited to this situation in which there are numerous elements to consider, a low frequency of performance, and teams with variable expertise. We propose 2 checklists to help ensure that all relevant elements are considered for every operative vaginal delivery: (1) a checklist for preparation and performance of the procedure and (2) a checklist for documentation. We suggest practical tips to help facilities adapt these checklists to their own circumstances and implement them on their units.

Creating a Multidisciplinary Pregnancy Heart Team

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of maternal death and cases of cardiovascular death are often associated with failure to provide timely risk-appropriate care. This review outlines considerations for creation of a team focused on the care of women with CVD during pregnancy and beyond.

RECENT FINDINGS

Improved outcomes for women with complex medical or obstetric conditions managed by a multidisciplinary care team inspired national guidelines advising the creation of a Pregnancy Heart Team for women with CVD in pregnancy. The recommendations from the European Society of Cardiology provide general guidance for risk-appropriate care without elaborating on the details of these specialized care teams. A Pregnancy Heart Team led by providers from cardiology, maternal-fetal medicine, obstetrics, obstetric anesthesia, pharmacy, and nursing support a holistic approach to patient care while facilitating opportunities for cross-disciplinary education. This team should focus on frequent antepartum risk stratification, multidisciplinary delivery planning, and comprehensive preconception and postpartum care. Available evidence suggests that a consistent and integrated approach to care for women with CVD in pregnancy has the potential to decrease severe maternal morbidity and mortality. The cost-effectiveness of this approach and the impact of this comprehensive care model on a woman's long-term cardiovascular health warrant future study.

Readiness: Utilizing bundles and simulation

Postpartum hemorrhage is an important contributor to maternal morbidity, and is one of the most common worldwide causes of preventable maternal mortality. Preventing significant morbidity and mortality from postpartum hemorrhage necessitates preparedness on both a unit and patient level. Our objectives are to define a bundle, to review the elements of the Council on Patient Safety in Women's Healthcare Obstetric Hemorrhage Bundle and to highlight simulation-based training opportunities, focusing on readiness for this significant obstetric emergency.

Checklists in emergencies

Checklists are memory aids comprised of various tasks to complete a process and have been successful in preventing errors and improving performance in various fields including aviation, aeronautics, and construction. (1) In recent years, use of safety checklists has increased within the medical field to standardize care and improve communication amongst providers and they hold significant promise to improve outcomes during obstetric emergencies.

Maternal critical care in resource-limited settings. Narrative review

Maternal critical care reflects interdisciplinary care in any hospital area according to the severity of illness of the pregnant woman. The admission rate to intensive care units is below 1% (0.08-0.76%) of deliveries in high-income countries, and ranges from 0.13% to 4.6% in low- and middle-income countries. Mortality in these patients is high and varies from 0% to 4.9% of admissions in high-income countries, and from 2% to 43.6% in low- and middle-income countries. Obstetric haemorrhage, sepsis, preeclampsia, human immunodeficiency virus complications and tropical diseases are the main reasons for intensive care unit admission in low middle-income countries. Bedside assessment tools, such as early warning scores, may help to identify critically ill patients and those at risk of deterioration. There is a lack of uniformity in definitions, identification and treatment of critically ill pregnant patients, especially in resource-limited settings. Our aims were to (i) propose a more practical definition of maternal critical care, (ii) discuss maternal mortality in the setting of limited accessibility of critical care units, (iii) provide some accessible tools to improve identification of obstetric patients who may become critically ill, and (iv) confront challenges in providing maternal critical care in resource-limited settings. To improve maternal critical care, training programmes should embrace modern technological educational aids and incorporate new tools and technologies that assist prediction of critical illness in the pregnant patient. The goal must be improved outcomes following early interventions, early initiation of resuscitation, and early transfer to an appropriate level of care, whenever possible.