Antenatal anaesthesia clinics - the way forward?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Anesthesiology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Specialist antenatal clinics are vital for assessing pregnant women with comorbidities and high obstetric risks.
• These clinics facilitate expert evaluation by anaesthetists prior to delivery.
• Establishing and managing such clinics presents unique operational challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the 14-year process of establishing and operating a specialist antenatal clinic in Israel.
• To identify challenges encountered, particularly concerning the referral of high-risk pregnant individuals.
• To propose strategies for improving referral processes based on international literature.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of a specialist antenatal clinic's operational data over 14 years.
• Analysis of referral patterns and identification of barriers to high-risk patient access.
• Literature review of best practices in referral systems from the UK and US.

Main Results:

• The study details the practical aspects of running a specialist antenatal clinic over an extended period.
• A key challenge identified was the insufficient referral of women deemed to be at high risk.
• International literature suggests potential solutions to enhance referral rates.

Conclusions:

• The successful implementation of specialist antenatal clinics requires ongoing evaluation and adaptation.
• Improving the referral of high-risk patients is crucial for maximizing the benefit of these specialized services.
• Structured referral tools, defined criteria, and multidisciplinary collaboration are recommended strategies to overcome referral challenges.