[Color-codes implementation shortens the decision-to-delivery interval of emergency C-sections].

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficiency of a new tool designed to shorten the decision-to-delivery interval (DDI) for emergency C-sections (CS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DDI comparisons during three 6-month periods in a third level maternity. In stage A we evaluated the spontaneous DDI, in stage B the DDI was measured after the introduction of a color-code communication tool related to the degree of urgency for CS (amber code indicated urgent CS with an ideal DDI of 30 min and red code for very urgent CS with an ideal DDI of 15 min). In stage C we assessed the impact of the color-codes related protocols implementation.

RESULTS

Two hundred and fifty-three C-sections were included (211 urgent CS and 42 very urgent CS). Mean DDI decreased significantly from 42 min to 24 min between period A and period C for amber codes (corresponding to 43.2% and 82.1% of the objectives respectively) and from 24.9 min to 10.7 min for red codes (20% et 83.3% of the objectives).

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that color-codes and their related application protocols significantly shorten the DDI during the evaluation periods.