The utility of bedside simulation for training in critical care obstetrics

Over the last 2 decades, the maternal mortality ratio in the United States has doubled from 7.4/100,000 live births in 1986 to 14.5/100,000 today. Despite great advances in health care, increasing rates of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States have prompted calls to action to reverse this disturbing trend. Assisted reproductive technology has allowed women to delay childbearing to more advanced ages, resulting in a greater number of pregnancies complicated by one or more of the diseases associated with aging, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. The obesity epidemic, increasing rates of chronic diseases affecting pregnancy, steadily rising cesarean delivery rate with resulting complications, and medical advances allowing women with rare, but serious diseases to conceive contribute to rising maternal morbidity and mortality rates. Obstetric critical care simulation training may result in improved multidisciplinary teamwork and patient outcomes; and fewer medical and communication errors.