Developing and Testing a Vaginal Delivery Safety Checklist

J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs. 2016 Mar-Apr;45(2):239-48. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2015.12.010. Epub 2016 Feb 2.

Abstract

Communication failures are the most common root causes of perinatal deaths and injuries. We designed and tested a Vaginal Delivery Safety Checklist to improve communication and assist delivery teams' risk assessments and plans for potential complications of vaginal birth. Delivery teams found the checklist easy, convenient, and helpful. Teams completed the checklist within 2 to 3 minutes and showed improved teamwork, communication, and decision making.

Keywords: communication; neonatal resuscitation; postpartum hemorrhage; safety checklists; shoulder dystocia; teamwork; vaginal birth; vaginal delivery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Birth Injuries* / etiology
  • Birth Injuries* / prevention & control
  • Checklist* / methods
  • Checklist* / standards
  • Delivery, Obstetric* / psychology
  • Delivery, Obstetric* / standards
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Patient Care Team
  • Patient Safety / standards
  • Perinatal Death / prevention & control*
  • Pregnancy
  • Quality Improvement
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Assessment / methods