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Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Hemodynamic Precision in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit using Targeted Neonatal Echocardiography
Published on: January 27, 2023
Cost-effective standardization of preterm labor evaluation
Carl H Rose1, Dennis T McWeeney, Brian C Brost
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a standardized evidence-based protocol for preterm labor evaluation on resource use and obstetrics outcomes.
Study Design:
We conducted a retrospective 12-month observational study of patients with symptoms of preterm labor at the Mayo Clinic. All patients underwent triage evaluation per a standardized protocol with a combination of cervical length measurement with contingent fetal fibronectin assay.
Results:
Of 201 patients who underwent evaluation, 3 women delivered within 7 days, and only 1 woman delivered after a negative evaluation. Mean gestational age at evaluation was 29 weeks 1 day, and delivery was at 38 weeks 3 days of gestation, with an average interval of 57.4 days until delivery. The rate of hospital admission was reduced by 56%, compared with the previous year; an estimated annual cost saving was $39,900.
Conclusion:
Implementation of a standardized protocol for evaluation of preterm labor reduces the rate of unnecessary hospital admissions for observation with consequent significant reduction in expenses.
