• Jay Goldberg, Manish Gopal, Richa Singhal, Christina Mitchell, Jennifer Culhane, and David A Webb.
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA. jay.goldberg@jefferson.edu
• J Reprod Med. 2004 Mar 1;49(3):143-7.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of in-house vs. out-of-house nighttime call coverage on obstetric practice.Study DesignA retrospective analysis was performed on nighttime deliveries. Included were deliveries by 2 faculty groups that equally shared in-house and out-of-house call coverage. Included patients had an equal chance of delivering with a physician on call covering in house or out of house. Patient demographics and obstetric outcomes were compared between in-house and out-of-house call status for the delivering physician by ANOVA and chi2.ResultsOf eligible nighttime deliveries, 230 were identified, 120 with in-house and 110 with out-of-house call coverage. Demographic features were not statistically different between the groups. A comparison of in-house and out-of-house deliveries yielded rates for episiotomy (28.3% vs. 30.0%), cesarean delivery (26.7% vs. 21.8%), operative vaginal delivery (11.7% vs. 18.2%), total operative delivery (38.4% vs. 40.0%) and nonoperative vaginal delivery (61.7% vs. 60.0%) that did not significantly differ by physician call status.ConclusionThe nighttime call status of physicians, whether in house or out of house, did not affect cesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, overall (total) operative delivery or episiotomy rates.

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