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Background: The low-risk cesarean delivery (CD) rate is an established performance indicator for providers in maternity care for quality improvement purposes. Purpose: Our objectives were to assess nurse performance using adjusted nurse-level CD rates and to compare methods of identifying nurse outliers. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cohort study of 6970 births attended by 181 registered nurses in one hospital's maternity unit. Adjusted and unadjusted nurse-level CD rates were compared and agreement between 3 definitions (statistical, top decile, over a benchmark) of outliers calculated. Results: Adjusted nurse-level CD rates varied from 5.5% to 53.2%, and the unadjusted rates varied from 5% to 50%. Risk adjustment had little impact on the ranking of nurses, and outliers were consistently identified by 3 definitions. Conclusions: Trade-offs between statistical certainty and feasibility need to be considered when classifying nurse outliers. Findings can help target interventions to improve nurse performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Virtual reality (VR) represents a potential method for easing labor pain and in nonpregnant patients has been shown to achieve similar or greater analgesia than hydromorphone. Few studies of VR have been performed in pregnant women. The aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate whether VR is effective in reducing pain in laboring women. Study Design  An open-label, RCT of nulliparous, term women in labor in a tertiary care hospital. We included women with a pain score level of 4 to 7 having regular contractions at least every 5 minutes. We excluded women who had received any pharmacologic pain relief including neuraxial analgesia and those with contraindications to VR. Participants were randomized to up to 30 minutes of either VR or the control arm (no additional intervention). Our primary outcome was the difference in differences from pre- to postintervention pain score. Prespecified secondary outcomes included postintervention pain scores, duration of intervention use, pharmacologic analgesia use, maternal vitals, and obstetric outcomes. Results  From March 2018 to February 2019, 40 subjects were enrolled, randomized, and completed the study; 19 were randomized to control and 21 to the VR arm. Most baseline characteristics were similar between groups. For the primary outcome, those assigned to the control arm had a statistically significant increase in pain of +0.58, while the VR arm had a significant reduction in pain of −0.52 (p  = 0.03). There was also a difference in the proportion who had a minimum clinically important difference in pain (0% control and 23.8% VR; p  = 0.049). Postintervention maternal heart rate was higher in the control arm (86.8 vs. 76.3, p  = 0.01). Most other secondary outcomes did not differ. Conclusion  In our study, we found that VR was effective for reducing pain in women in labor as compared with those receiving no intervention. Key Points Virtual reality (VR) represents a nonpharmacologic option for pain relief. VR has been little studied in pregnant or laboring women. VR was associated with a reduction in pain in nulliparous women in labor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  To evaluate whether prophylactic antibiotics at the time of placement of an intrauterine balloon tamponade (IBT) is associated with a reduction in postpartum endometritis. Study Design  Retrospective cohort study of patients who received an IBT from January 1, 2012, to December 12, 2016. Patients were included if the IBT remained in place at least 2 hours and excluded if chorioamnionitis was present. Patients who received prophylactic antibiotics at the time of IBT placement were compared with those who did not. Results  A total of 149 subjects received an IBT; 36 were excluded due to early removal or chorioamnionitis. Of the remaining, 59 received prophylactic antibiotics and 54 did not. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except mode of delivery. The majority (65%) of those who did not receive prophylactic antibiotics had a cesarean delivery (p  = 0.03). The overall incidence of endometritis was 15%. The incidence of endometritis was greater among those patients who did not receive prophylactic antibiotics compared with those who did (5 vs. 26%; p  < 0.002; odds ratio [OR]: 6.53; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.76–24.25). This association remained after adjustment for mode of delivery and receiving group B Streptococcus antibiotics prior to delivery (adjusted OR: 5.9; 95% CI: 1.58–22.35). Conclusion  Prophylactic antibiotics were associated with a reduction in postpartum endometritis among patients receiving an IBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the perception and practices of obstetric providers on birth plans and childbirth education (CBE) classes. Using a national online survey, we collected provider and patient demographics, practice settings, and perceptions. Of 567 surveys, 77% were physicians and 22% were midwives. This cohort believed prenatal care and CBE were predictors of patient satisfaction, while they had unfavorable views of birth plans. Most providers routinely recommended (69.7%) and had favorable views on CBE (84%). Most providers (66.5%) did not recommend birth plans and 31% felt they were predictors of poor obstetrical outcomes. Further research is needed to bridge the gap between provider beliefs and patient desires about their birth experience as well as to understand how to improve childbirth-related patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To examine whether the presence of a birth plan was associated with mode of delivery, obstetrical interventions, and patient satisfaction. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies greater than 34 weeks’ gestation powered to evaluate a difference in mode of delivery. Maternal characteristics, antenatal factors, neonatal characteristics, and patient satisfaction measures were compared between groups. Differences between groups were analyzed using chi‐squared for categorical variables, Fisher exact test for dichotomous variables, and Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous or ordinal variables. Results: Three hundred women were recruited: 143 (48%) had a birth plan. There was no significant difference in the risk of cesarean delivery for women with a birth plan compared with those without a birth plan (21% vs 16%, adjusted odds ratio [adjOR] 1.11 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61‐2.04]). Women with a birth plan were 28% less likely to receive oxytocin (P < .01), 29% less likely to undergo artificial rupture of membranes (P < .01), and 31% less likely to have an epidural (P < .01). There was no difference in the length of labor (P = .12). Women with a birth plan were less satisfied (P < .01) and felt less in control (P < .01) of their birth experience than those without a birth plan. Conclusion: Women with and without a birth plan had similar odds of cesarean delivery. Though they had fewer obstetrical interventions, they were less satisfied with their birth experience, compared with women without birth plans. Further research is needed to understand how to improve childbirth‐related patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To determine whether the mode of delivery was different between women who attended childbirth education ( CBE) class, had a birth plan, or both compared with those who did not attend CBE class or have a birth plan. Methods This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of women who delivered singleton gestations > 24 weeks at our institution between August 2011 and June 2014. Based on a self-report at the time of admission for labor, women were stratified into four categories: those who attended a CBE class, those with a birth plan, both, and those with neither CBE or birth plan. The primary outcome was the mode of delivery. Multivariate logistic regression analyses adjusting for clinical covariates were performed. Results In this study, 14,630 deliveries met the inclusion criteria: 31.9 percent of the women attended CBE class, 12.0 percent had a birth plan, and 8.8 percent had both. Women who attended CBE or had a birth plan were older ( p < 0.001), more likely to be nulliparous ( p < 0.001), had a lower body mass index ( p < 0.001), and were less likely to be African-American ( p < 0.001). After adjusting for significant covariates, women who participated in either option or both had higher odds of a vaginal delivery ( CBE: OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.15-1.39]; birth plan: OR 1.98 [95% CI 1.56-2.51]; and both: OR 1.69 [95% CI 1.46-1.95]) compared with controls. Conclusion Attending CBE class and/or having a birth plan were associated with a vaginal delivery. These findings suggest that patient education and birth preparation may influence the mode of delivery. CBE and birth plans could be used as quality improvement tools to potentially decrease cesarean rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To categorize individual birth plan requests and determine if number of requests and request fulfillment is associated with birth experience satisfaction. Methods This is a sub-analysis of a prospective cohort study of 302 women with singleton pregnancies with and without birth plans. Women with a hard copy of their birth plans who completed a postdelivery satisfaction survey were included in this study. We described the number and type of birth plan requests and associated the number of requests and request fulfillment with overall satisfaction, expectations met, and sense of control. Differences between groups were analyzed using chi-square, Spearman rank correlation, and logistic regression. Results One hundred and nine women presented to Labor and Delivery with a hard copy of their prewritten birth plan. We identified 23 unique requests. The most common requests were no intravenous analgesia (82%) and exclusive breastfeeding (74%). The requests most fulfilled were avoidance of episiotomy (100%) and no operative vaginal delivery (89%). Having a higher number of requests fulfilled correlated with greater overall satisfaction ( p = 0.03), higher chance of expectations being met ( p < 0.01), and feeling more in control ( p < 0.01). Having a high number of requests was associated with an 80 percent reduction in overall satisfaction with the birth experience ( p < 0.01). Conclusions Having a higher number of requests fulfilled was positively associated with birth experience satisfaction, while having a high number of requests was inversely associated with birth experience satisfaction. Further research is needed to understand how to improve birth plan-related birth experience satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate whether a subcategory system for category II tracings can improve team communication and perinatal outcomes. Study Design We collected data prospectively for 15 months, first using the NICHD system, followed by the ABC system, which divides category II tracings into subcategories A, B, and C, each representing increased risk for metabolic acidemia. We surveyed providers about communication effectiveness and agreement on tracing interpretation for each system. In cases where the communication system was used to alert an off-site physician about a category II tracing, we compared arrival to L&D and NICU admissions. Results The ABC system was preferred (69%, n = 152) and considered a more effective tool for communicating concerning fetal status (80% vs. 43%, p < 0.01). Participants also reported greater agreement on tracing interpretation (79% for ABC vs. 64% for NICHD, p = 0.046). When an off-site physician was contacted about a category II tracing (n = 95), they were more likely to arrive to L&D (44% vs. 20%, p < 0.01) and have fewer NICU admissions (0% vs. 6%, p < 0.01) with the ABC system. Conclusion The ABC system resulted in improved team communication, increased physician response, and decreased NICU admissions. Using standardized communication may offer a useful strategy for identifying and expediting care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To review management strategies associated with lower risk for cesarean delivery. Targeted literature review for labor interventions during the first stage of labor. There is evidence that policies regarding labor admission criteria, standardized policies regarding labor management including judicious use of oxytocin, standardized terminology and treatment for electronic fetal monitoring, standardized criteria for dystocia, and systematic implementation of policies that incorporate continuous supportive care during labor are associated with lower risk for cesarean. Evidence regarding use of amniotomy is conflicting. Management of the first stage of labor can affect the risk for cesarean delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. We examined trends in maternal comorbidities in California. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1 551 017 California births using state-linked vital statistics and hospital discharge cohort data for 1999, 2002, and 2005. We used International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes to identify the following conditions, some of which were preexisting: maternal hypertension, diabetes, asthma, thyroid disorders, obesity, mental health conditions, substance abuse, and tobacco use. We estimated prevalence rates with hierarchical logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic shifts, and also examined racial/ethnic disparities. Results. The prevalence of these comorbidities increased over time for hospital admissions associated with childbirth, suggesting that pregnant women are getting sicker. Racial/ethnic disparities were also significant. In 2005, maternal hypertension affected more than 10% of all births to non-Hispanic Black mothers; maternal diabetes affected nearly 10% of births to Asian/Pacific Islander mothers (10% and 43% increases, respectively, since 1999). Chronic hypertension, diabetes, obesity, mental health conditions, and tobacco use among Native American women showed the largest increases. Conclusions. The prevalence of maternal comorbidities before and during pregnancy has risen substantially in California and demonstrates racial/ethnic disparity independent of demographic shifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]