Implementation of a Labor Dystocia Checklist to Reduce NTSV C-Section Rates

Cesarean section (c-section) rates among nulliparous, term, singleton, and vertex (NTSV) pregnancies are increasing, posing risk to the infant and birthing parent. To reach the Healthy People 2030 goal of an NTSV c-section rate below 23.6%, teams must remain aware of their NTSV c-section rate and implement mechanisms to reduce it. This project was conducted to assess the impact of quality improvement interventions implemented by family medicine residents to reduce a hospital's NTSV rate.

From 2021 to 2023, family medicine residents were educated on evidenced-based diagnosis of labor dystocia, failed induction of labor, arrest of dilation, and arrest of descent in first-time birthing parents. Learning was reinforced by implementing the Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative's labor dystocia checklist. Quarterly assessment of the hospital's NTSV rate and checklist utilization were monitored and widely reported.

After the implementation of a standard checklist, the NTSV c-section rate at the tertiary care center declined from 35.6% in 2020 to a sustained rate below the 2030 Healthy People goal of 23.6%. Notably, patients with public insurance saw the greatest reduction in NTSV c-section rates. Hospital staff highlighted the benefits of using the checklist, including more effective electronic documentation of labor progression, improvement in team dynamics, and increased team communication.

Using a labor dystocia checklist is a successful method for teams to reduce NTSV c-section rates and can be used as a training tool for family medicine and obstetrics and gynecology residency programs that care for laboring persons.