Expert Panel in Obstetrics

In March 2008, the Betsy Lehman Center for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction convened an Expert Panel in Obstetrics, charged with the mission of: 1) reviewing the existing state of the art in selected areas of obstetric quality and safety (including existing and developing best practice approaches); 2) making evidence-based recommendations to improve care quality and safety; and 3) identifying areas for further research.

The panel was chaired by Fredric Frigoletto, MD from Massachusetts General Hospital and Bonnie Glass, RN, MSN from South Shore Hospital, with participation from a broad spectrum of experts in obstetrics and quality and safety across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Katherine Flaherty, ScD served as the Project Director. The panel agreed to concentrate its focus in the area of Labor and Delivery (L&D). Five Task Groups were formed to address and make recommendations on these topics:

  • Electronic Fetal Monitoring
  • Induction
  • Staffing and Communications
  • Cesarean Section
  • Maternal Hemorrhage

Additionally, a subcommittee within the panel performed a preliminary survey to explore issues relative to racial and ethnic disparities within certain L&D units in the state.

The following final report, submitted to the Lehman Center November 2009, reflects the culmination of the work of this dedicated panel and other contributing consultants and experts.

Documents



This information is provided by the Betsy Lehman for Patient Safety and Medical Error Reduction within the Department of Public Health.