Risk management issues in the perinatal setting

The frequency and severity of obstetric lawsuits make the perinatal area a risk management priority. Risk management deals with the probability that a given risk will result in an adverse outcome and attempts to mitigate the consequences of adverse events. Perinatal care providers cannot escape risk in their everyday work environment. The article explores perinatal risk issues and offers recommendations and risk management strategies that may help minimize perinatal liability in the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum areas.