Obstetrics and gynecology clinics of North America
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Obstet. Gynecol. Clin. North Am. · Sep 2015
ReviewOrganizing an Effective Obstetric/Gynecologic Hospitalist Program.
The thoughtful development and implementation of a comprehensive obstetric/gynecologic (OB/GYN) hospitalist program can result in a cost-effective practice model that provides increased value through a wide variety of services. The continuous on-site availability of an OB/GYN specialist affords many benefits to patients, hospitals, and practicing physicians. A well-implemented and effective OB/GYN hospitalist program will be associated with many different service line improvements for hospitals. Such programs increase patient safety, promote risk reduction, and improve clinical outcomes, while enriching the quality of life of obstetricians and gynecologists.
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Obstet. Gynecol. Clin. North Am. · Sep 2015
ReviewThe Role of Obstetrics/Gynecology Hospitalists in Reducing Maternal Mortality.
The United States experienced a 6.1% annual increase in the maternal death rate from 2000 to 2013. Maternal deaths from hemorrhage and complications of preeclampsia are significant contributors to the maternal death rate. ⋯ By virtue of their continuous care of laboring patients, active involvement in hospital safety initiatives, and immediate availability, obstetric hospitalists are uniquely positioned to evaluate patients, initiate care, and coordinate a multidisciplinary effort. In cases of significant maternal hemorrhage, hypertensive crisis, and acute pulmonary edema, the availability of an obstetrics hospitalist may facilitate improved patient safety and fewer maternal deaths.
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Obstet. Gynecol. Clin. North Am. · Sep 2015
ReviewObstetrics Hospitalists: Risk Management Implications.
The concept of having an in-house obstetrician (serving as an obstetrics [OB] hospitalist) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week provides a safety net for OB events that many need immediate intervention for a successful outcome. A key precept of risk management, that of loss prevention, fits perfectly with the addition of an OB hospitalist role in the perinatal department. Inherent in the role of OB hospitalists are the patient safety and risk management principles of improved communication, enhanced readiness, and immediate availability.
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Obstet. Gynecol. Clin. North Am. · Sep 2015
ReviewHospitalists and Their Impact on Quality, Patient Safety, and Satisfaction.
The forces promoting the hospitalist model arose from the need for high-value care; therefore, improving quality and cost has been part of the hospitalist formula for success. The factors driving the rapid growth of generalist and subspecialty hospitalists include nationally mandated quality and safety measures, increasing age and complexity of the hospitalized patient, reduced residency duty hours, increased economic pressures to contain costs and reduce length of stay, and also primary care physicians, and specialists, relinquishing hospital privileges to focus on outpatient practices. Hospitalists are playing key roles in patient safety and quality as either leaders or practitioners in the field.
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Sleep deprivation occurs when inadequate sleep leads to decreased performance, inadequate alertness, and deterioration in health. It is incompletely understood why humans need sleep, although some theories include energy conservation, restoration, and information processing. ⋯ Residency programs have enacted strict work restrictions because of medically related errors due to sleep deprivation. Because obstetrics is an unpredictable specialty with long irregular hours, enacting a hospitalist program enhances patient safety, decreases malpractice risk, and improves the physician's quality of life by allowing obstetricians to get sufficient rest.