Safety interventions on the labor and delivery unit.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The present review highlights recent advances in efforts to improve patient safety on labor and delivery units and well tolerated care for pregnant patients in general.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent studies in obstetric patient safety have a broad focus but repetitive themes for interdisciplinary training include: simulating critical events, having open multidisciplinary communication, frequent reviews of cases of maternal morbidity, and implementing maternal early warning systems. The National Partnership for Maternal Safety is also active in promoting care bundles across many topics on maternal safety.

SUMMARY

A culture of safety is the goal for all obstetric units. Achieving that ideal requires multidisciplinary collaboration, frequent reassessment for areas of improvement, and a culture of openness to change when improvement opportunities arise.