Factors associated with non-survival from in-hospital maternal cardiac arrest: An analysis of Get With The Guidelines® (GWTG) data.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal mortality has risen in the United States during the 21st century. Factors influencing outcome of maternal cardiac arrest (MCA) remain largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE: We sought to further elucidate the factors affecting maternal death from in-hospital (IH) MCA. METHODS: Our query of the American Heart Association's GWTG®-Resuscitation voluntary registry from 2000-2017 revealed 561 index cases of IH MCA with complete outcome data. Logistic regression was performed using hospital death as the primary outcome and included variables with a p value = 0.1 or less based upon univariate analysis. Age, race, year of arrest, pre-existing conditions, first documented pulseless rhythm and location of arrest were used in the model. Sensitivity analyses and assessment of variable interaction were also performed to test model stability. Institutional review deemed this research exempt from ethical approval. RESULTS: Among 561 cases of MCA, 57.2% (321/561) did not survive to hospital discharge. IH death was not associated with maternal age, race and year of event. In the final model, IH death was significantly associated with pre-arrest hypotension/hypoperfusion (OR = 1.80 (95% CI, 1.16-2.79); p = 0.009). The occurrence of MCA outside of the delivery suite (referent group) or operating room was associated with a significantly higher risk of death: ICU/Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) (OR = 3.32 (95% CI, 2.00-5.52); p < 0.001) and ER/other (OR = 1.89 (95% CI, 1.15-3.11); p = 0.012). While MCA cases with a shockable vs. non-shockable first documented pulseless rhythm had similar outcomes, those with an indeterminate rhythm were less likely to die, (OR = 0.41(95% CI, 0.20-0.84); p = 0.014). In a sensitivity analysis, removal of the indeterminate group did not alter outcomes regarding first documented pulseless rhythm or arrest location. Area under the curve for the final model was 0.715 (95% CI 0.673-0.757). CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified several novel factors associated with IH death of our MCA cohort. More research is required to further understand the pathophysiologic dynamics affecting outcomes of IH MCA in this unique population.

Estimating Obstetric Anaesthesia Workload: Number of Deliveries Compared to Time-Based Workload.

BACKGROUND: Number of deliveries is utilised to estimate obstetric anaesthesiologist workload; however, this may not reflect true workload. The goal of this analysis was to assess if including type of procedure, time required and length of each shift would better predict clinical workloads. METHODS: We queried the electronic medical records at a high volume, academic centre for 12 consecutive months of maternal deliveries. Data extracted included delivery type, analgesic/anaesthetic procedure and whether delivery occurred during weekday, weeknight or weekend shifts. To generate an hourly comparison of shifts of varying duration, procedures were divided by the number of hours per shift. To calculate obstetric anaesthesiology time-based workload, delivery type was multiplied by estimated time associated with the analgesic/anaesthetic procedure. RESULTS: A total of 4,598 deliveries occurred in the 12-month study period. The caesarean delivery rate was 32%, and labour epidural rate was 85%. 1,564 anaesthetic procedures occurred during weekdays and 2,557 occurred during the weeknights and weekends. After accounting for the duration of each procedure and hours per shift, mean 6 standard deviation time-based workload ratio was 0.68 6 0.12 on weekdays versus 0.36 6 0.07 on weeknights and weekends. CONCLUSION: Relative workload based on deliveries alone suggests 41% less workload during the weekday, whereas accounting for duration of each procedure and hours per shift resulted in an 89% greater workload on weekday shifts. The study highlights the importance of considering analgesic/anaesthetic procedures and estimates of time taken to perform them, not just number of deliveries when considering obstetric anaesthesiology workload.

Understanding the Heterogeneity of Labor and Delivery Units: Using Design Thinking Methodology to Assess Environmental Factors that Contribute to Safety in Childbirth.

OBJECTIVE: There is limited research exploring the relationship between design and patient safety outcomes, especially in maternal and neonatal care. We employed design thinking methodology to understand how the design of labor and delivery units impacts safety and identified spaces and systems where improvements are needed. STUDY DESIGN: Site visits were conducted at 10 labor and delivery units in California. A multidisciplinary team collected data through observations, measurements, and clinician interviews. In parallel, research was conducted regarding current standards and codes for building new hospitals. RESULTS: Designs of labor and delivery units are heterogeneous, lacking in consistency regarding environmental factors that may impact safety and outcomes. Building codes do not take into consideration workflow, human factors, and patient and clinician experience. Attitude of hospital staff may contribute to improving safety through design. Three areas in need of improvement and actionable through design emerged: (1) blood availability for hemorrhage management, (2) appropriate space for neonatal resuscitation, and (3) restocking and organization methods of equipment and supplies. CONCLUSION: Design thinking could be implemented at various stages of health care facility building projects and during retrofits of existing units. Through this approach, we may be able to improve hospital systems and environmental factors.

Evaluation of Electronic Medical Records on Nurses' Time Allocation During Cesarean Delivery.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the electronic medical record (EMR) on nursing workload is not well understood. The objective of this descriptive study was to measure the actual and perceived time that nurses spend on the EMR in the operating room during cesarean births. METHODS: Twenty scheduled cesarean births were observed. An observer timed the circulating nurse's EMR use during each case. Immediately after each case, the nurse completed a questionnaire to estimate EMR time allocation during the case and their desired time allocation for a typical case. They were also asked about time allotted to various activities preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively for a typical cesarean birth. RESULTS: Mean observed nurse EMR time was 36 ± 12 minutes per case, 40% ± 10% of the duration of the cesarean delivery. Nurses tended to estimate greater time spent on the EMR; the perceived mean proportion of time spent on the EMR (55%) was greater than the actual timed value of 40% (P = 0.020). Nurse's desired amount of time spent on the EMR was 22% ± 15% of the case duration, significantly less than actual time spent on the EMR (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: On average, nurses spent 40% of their intraoperative time on the EMR during cesarean births, and this time burden was distributed across the perioperative period. These findings highlight the time burden of EMRs and suggest that EMR functionality should be better aligned with end-user needs. Future studies are needed to better understand the impacts of intraoperative EMR use on patient safety and patient/nursing/clinician communication.

Analyzing the heterogeneity of labor and delivery units: A quantitative analysis of space and design.

This study assessed labor and delivery (L&D) unit space and design, and also considered correlations between physical space measurements and clinical outcomes. Design and human factors research has increased standardization in high-hazard industries, but is not fully utilized in medicine. Emergency department and intensive care unit space has been studied, but optimal L&D unit design is undefined. In this prospective, observational study, a multidisciplinary team assessed physical characteristics of ten L&D units. Design measurements were analyzed with California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) data from 34,161 deliveries at these hospitals. The hospitals ranged in delivery volumes (<1000->5000 annual deliveries) and cesarean section rates (19.6%-39.7%). Within and among units there was significant heterogeneity in labor room (LR) and operating room (OR) size, count, and number of configurations. There was significant homogeneity of room equipment. Delivery volumes correlated with unit size, room counts, and cesarean delivery rates. Relative risk of cesarean section was modestly increased when certain variables were above average (delivery volume, unit size, LR count, OR count, OR configuration count, LR to OR distance, unit utilization) or below average (LR size, OR size, LR configuration count). Existing variation suggests a gold standard design has yet to be adopted for L&D. A design-centered approach identified opportunities for standardization: 1) L&D unit size and 2) room counts based on current or projected delivery volume, and 3) LR and OR size and equipment. When combined with further human factors research, these guidelines could help design the L&D unit of the future.

Characteristics and outcomes of maternal cardiac arrest: A descriptive analysis of Get with the guidelines data.

BACKGROUND: Maternal mortality has risen in the United States in the twenty-first century, yet large cohort data of maternal cardiac arrest (MCA) are limited. OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe contemporary characteristics and outcomes of in-hospital MCA. METHODS: We queried the American Heart Association's Get with the Guidelines Resuscitation voluntary registry from 2000 to 2016 to identify cases of maternal cardiac arrest. All index cardiac arrests occurring in women aged 18-50 with a patient illness category designated as obstetric or location of arrest occurring in a delivery suite were included. Institutional review deemed that this research was exempt from ethical approval. RESULTS: A total of 462 index events met criteria for MCA, with a mean age of 31 ± 7 years and a racial distribution of: 49.4% White, 35.3% Black and 15.3% Other/Unknown. While 32% had no pre-existing conditions or physiologic disorders, respiratory insufficiency (36.1%) and hypotension/hypoperfusion (33.3%) were the most common antecedent conditions. In most cases, the first documented pulseless rhythm was non-shockable; pulseless electrical activity (50.8%) or asystole (25.6%). Only 11.7% presented with a shockable rhythm; ventricular fibrillation (6.5%) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (5.2%) while the initial pulseless rhythm was unknown in 11.9% of cases. Return of spontaneous circulation occurred in 73.6% but 68 (14.7%) had more than one arrest. The rate of survival to discharge was 40.7% overall; 37.3% with non-shockable rhythms, 33% with shockable rhythms and 64.3% with unknown presenting rhythms. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal survival at hospital discharge in this cohort was less than 50%, lower than rates reported in other epidemiological datasets. More research is required in maternal resuscitation science and translational medicine to continue to improve outcomes and understand maternal mortality.

Opportunities to Foster Efficient Communication in Labor and Delivery Using Simulation.

Introduction Communication errors are an important contributing factor in adverse outcomes in labor and delivery (L&D) units. The objective of this study was to identify common lapses in verbal communication using simulated obstetrical scenarios and propose alternative formats for communication. Methods Health care professionals in L&D participated in three simulated clinical scenarios. Scenarios were recorded and reviewed to identify questions repeated within and across scenarios. Questions that were repeated more than once due to ineffective communication were identified. The frequency with which the questions were asked across simulations was identified. Results Questions were commonly repeated both within and across 27 simulated scenarios. The median number of questions asked was 27 per simulated scenario. Commonly repeated questions focused on three general topics: (1) historical data/information (i.e., estimated gestational age), (2) maternal clinical status (i.e., estimated blood loss), and (3) personnel (i.e., "Has anesthesiologist been called?"). Conclusion Inefficient verbal communication exists in the process of transferring information during obstetric emergencies. These findings can inform improved training and development of information displays to improve teamwork and communication. A visual display that can report static historical information and specific dynamic clinical data may facilitate optimal human performance.

Cardiac Arrest: Obstetric CPR/ACLS.

In contrast with other high-resource countries, maternal mortality has seen an increase in the United States. Caring for pregnant women in cardiac arrest may prove uniquely challenging given the rarity of the event coupled by the physiological changes of pregnancy. Optimization of resuscitative efforts warrants special attention as described in the 2015 American Heart Association's "Scientific Statement on Maternal Cardiac Arrest." Current recommendations address a variety of topics ranging from the basic components of chest compressions and airway management to some of the logistical complexities and operational challenges involved in maternal cardiac arrest.

Building Comprehensive Strategies for Obstetric Safety: Simulation Drills and Communication.

As pioneers in the field of patient safety, anesthesiologists are uniquely suited to help develop and implement safety strategies to minimize preventable harm on the labor and delivery unit. Most existing obstetric safety strategies are not comprehensive, lack input from anesthesiologists, are designed with a relatively narrow focus, or lack implementation details to allow customization for different units. This article attempts to address these gaps and build more comprehensive strategies by discussing the available evidence and multidisciplinary authors' local experience with obstetric simulation drills and optimization of team communication.

Intact Survival After Obstetric Hemorrhage and 55 Minutes of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Cardiac arrest occurs in approximately 1:12,000 parturients. Among nonpregnant patients who have in-hospital cardiac arrest, those whose spontaneous circulation does not return within 15 to 20 minutes have a high risk of death and disability, so life support efforts are generally stopped after this period. However, among parturients, witnessed in-hospital arrest is often reversible and has a better prognosis. We describe a successful clinical outcome after maternal cardiac arrest and 55 minutes of advanced cardiac life support. This case underscores the importance of high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation and raises questions about the appropriate duration of resuscitation efforts in otherwise healthy young mothers with a potentially reversible cause of arrest.

The Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology consensus statement on the management of cardiac arrest in pregnancy.

This consensus statement was commissioned in 2012 by the Board of Directors of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology to improve maternal resuscitation by providing health care providers critical information (including point-of-care checklists) and operational strategies relevant to maternal cardiac arrest. The recommendations in this statement were designed to address the challenges of an actual event by emphasizing health care provider education, behavioral/communication strategies, latent systems errors, and periodic testing of performance. This statement also expands on, interprets, and discusses controversial aspects of material covered in the American Heart Association 2010 guidelines.

Transport decreases the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during simulated maternal cardiac arrest.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for simulated maternal cardiac arrest rendered during transport to the operating room with that rendered while stationary in the labor room. We hypothesized that the quality of CPR would deteriorate during transport. METHODS: Twenty-six teams composed of 2 providers (obstetricians, nurses, or anesthesiologists) were randomized to perform CPR on the Laerdal Resusci Anne SkillReporter™ mannequin during transport or while stationary. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of correctly delivered compressions, defined as compression rate ≥100 beats per minute, correct sternal hand placement, compression depth ≥1.5 inches (3.8 cm), and proper release. Secondary outcomes included interruptions in compressions, position of providers relative to the mannequin during the transport phase, and ventilation tidal volume. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range) percentage of correctly rendered compressions during phase II was 32% (10%-63%) in the transport group and 93% (58%-100%) in the stationary group (P = 0.002, 95% confidence interval of mean difference = 22%-58%). The median (interquartile range) compression rates were 124 (110-140) beats per minute in the transport group and 123 (115-132) beats per minute in the stationary group (P = 0.531). Interruptions in CPR were observed in 92% of transport and 7% of stationary drills (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval of difference = 61%-92%). During transport, 18 providers kneeled next to the mannequin, 2 straddled the mannequin, and 4 ran alongside the gurney. Median (interquartile range) tidal volume was 270 (166-430) mL in the transport group and 390 (232-513) mL in the stationary group (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm our hypothesis and demonstrate that transport negatively affects the overall quality of resuscitation on a mannequin during simulated maternal arrest. These findings, together with previously published data on transport-related delays when moving from the labor room to the operating room further strengthen recommendations that perimortem cesarean delivery should be performed at the site of maternal cardiac arrest.

The case for OBLS: a simulation-based obstetric life support program.

Errors by health care professionals result in significant patient morbidity and mortality, and the labor and delivery ward is one of the highest risk areas in the hospital. Parturients today are of higher acuity than anytime previously, and maternal mortality is increasing. Obstetrical staff must therefore be familiar with emergency protocols geared to the maternal-fetal dyad. However, the medical literature suggests that obstetrical providers are not optimally trained to render care during maternal cardiopulmonary arrest. We describe the evolution of immersive learning and simulation in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and suggest the development of a multidisciplinary team, simulation-enhanced obstetric crisis training program (OBLS) may likewise benefit obstetrical health care professionals. OBLS would emphasize high quality basic life support, uterine displacement, use of an automatic external defibrillator, and delivery of the fetus within 5 minutes of maternal arrest should resuscitative efforts prove ineffective.

Deficits in the provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation during simulated obstetric crises.

OBJECTIVE: Previous work suggests the potential for suboptimal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the parturient but did not directly assess actual performance. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated 18 videotaped simulations of maternal amniotic fluid embolus and resultant cardiac arrest. A checklist containing 10 current American Heart Association recommendations for advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) in obstetric patients was utilized. We evaluated which tasks were completed correctly and the time required to perform key actions. RESULTS: Proper compressions were delivered by our teams 56% of the time and ventilations 50% of the time. Critical interventions such as left uterine displacement and placing a firm back support prior to compressions were frequently neglected (in 44% and 22% of cases, respectively). The mean +/- SD overall composite score for the tasks was 45 +/- 12% (range, 20-60%). The neonatal team was called in a median (interquartile range) of 1:42 (0:44-2:18) minutes:seconds; 15 of 18 (83%) teams called only after the patient was completely unresponsive. Fifty percent of teams did not provide basic information to the neonatal teams as required by neonatal resuscitation provider guidelines. CONCLUSION: Multiple deficits were noted in the provision of CPR to parturients during simulated arrests, despite current ACLS certification for all participants. Current requirements for ACLS certification and training for obstetric staff may require revision.

Use of simulation based team training for obstetric crises in resident education.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric crises are unexpected and random. Traditionally, medical training for these acute events has included lectures combined with arbitrary clinical experiences. This educational paradigm has inherent limitations. During actual crises insufficient time exists for discussion and analysis of patient care. Our objective was to create a simulation program to fill this experiential gap. METHODS: Ten L&D teams participated in high fidelity simulation training. A team consisted of two or three nurses, one anesthesia resident and one or two obstetric residents. Each team participated in two scenarios; epidural-induced hypotension followed by an amniotic fluid embolism. Each simulation was followed by a facilitated debriefing. All simulations were videotaped. Clinical performances of the obstetric residents were graded by two reviewers using the videotapes and a faculty-developed checklist. Recurrent errors were analyzed and graded using Health Failure Modes Effects Analysis. All team members completed a course evaluation. RESULTS: Performance deficiencies of the obstetric residents were identified by an expert team of reviewers. From this list of errors, the "most valuable lessons" requiring further focused teaching were identified and included 1) Poor communication with the pediatric team, 2) Not assuming a leadership role during the code, 3) Poor distribution of workload, and 4) Lack of proper use of low/outlet forceps. Participants reported the simulation course allowed them to learn new skills needed by teams during a crisis. CONCLUSION: Simulated obstetric crises training offers the opportunity for educators to identify specific performance deficits of their residents and the subsequent development of teaching modules to address these weaknesses.

Intraoperative forced air-warming during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia does not prevent maternal hypothermia.

BACKGROUND: Prewarming and intraoperative warming with forced air-warming systems prevent perioperative hypothermia and shivering in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery with epidural anesthesia. We tested the hypothesis that intraoperative lower body forced air-warming prevents hypothermia in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty healthy patients undergoing cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to forced air-warming or control groups (identical cover applied with forced air-warming unit switched off). A blinded investigator assessed oral temperature, shivering, and thermal comfort scores at 15-min intervals until discharge from the postanesthetic care unit. Umbilical cord blood gases and Apgar scores were also measured after delivery. RESULTS: The maximum core temperature changes were similar in the two groups (-1.3 degrees C +/- 0.4 degrees C vs -1.3 degrees C +/- 0.3 degrees C for the forced air-warming group and control group, respectively; P = 0.8). Core hypothermia (< or =35.5 degrees C) occurred in 8 of 15 patients receiving forced air-warming and in 10 of 15 unwarmed patients (P = 0.5). The incidence and severity of shivering did not significantly differ between groups. Umbilical cord blood gases and Apgar scores were similar in both groups (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intraoperative lower body forced air-warming does not prevent intraoperative hypothermia or shivering in women undergoing elective cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia.

Patient preferences for anesthesia outcomes associated with cesarean delivery.

UNLABELLED: When deciding on neuraxial medication (e.g., spinal opioids) for cesarean delivery (CS) under regional anesthesia, anesthesiologists make treatment decisions that "trade off" relieving pain with the potential for increased risk of side effects. No previous studies have examined obstetric patients' anesthesia preferences. Researchers administered 100 written surveys to pregnant women attending our institutions' expectant parent class. We determined patients' preferences for importance of specific intraoperative and postoperative anesthesia outcomes using priority ranking and relative value scales. We also explored patients' fears, concerns, and tolerance regarding CS and analgesics. Eighty-two of 100 surveys were returned and analyzed. Pain during and after CS was the greatest concern followed by vomiting, nausea, cramping, pruritus, and shivering. Ranking and relative value scores were closely correlated (R2 = 0.7). Patients would tolerate a visual analog pain score (0-100 mm) of 56 +/- 22 before exposing their baby to the potential effects of analgesics they receive. In contrast to previous general surgical population surveys that found nausea and vomiting as primary concerns, we found pain during and after CS as parturients' most important concern. Common side effects such as pruritus and shivering caused only moderate concern. This information should be used to guide anesthetic choices, e.g., inclusion of spinal opioids given in adequate doses. IMPLICATIONS: Medical care can be improved by incorporating patients' preferences into medical decision making. We surveyed obstetric patients to determine their preferences regarding potential cesarean delivery anesthesia outcomes. Unlike general surgical patients who rate nausea and vomiting highest, parturients considered pain during and after cesarean delivery the most important concern.