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A checklist for timeout on labor and delivery: a pilot study to improve communication and safety
Kathie L Hullfish1, Taniqua Miller, Lisa M Pastore
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA. khullfish@virginia.edu
Objective:
To assess the impact on staff communication of a standardized checklist for timeout for patients undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean section and/or elective induction at term.
Study Design:
A comparison of presurvey and postsurvey questionnaire results for labor and delivery personnel assessing communication before and after checklist implementation.
Results:
From October 2011 through March 2012, 52.9% (N=37) of 70 eligible patients had the standardized checklist for timeout performed. Prior to implementation of the checklist, 66% of respondents (48.8% of nurses, 100% of residents, 90% of attendings) slightly or strongly agreed that their opinions were heard versus 83% of respondents during the study period (73.7% of nurses, 100% of residents, 100% of attendings). Following the intervention, nurses reported that they were more likely to feel as though their opinions were heard (p = 0.05).
Conclusion:
Implementation of a formalized obstetric timeout improved the subjective perception of communication among obstetric staff. This tool has the potential to improve patient safety in labor and delivery.
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