Tackling Quality Improvement in the Delivery Room

Wannasiri Lapcharoensap; Henry C Lee

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2017.05.003

Tackling Quality Improvement in the Delivery Room

Clin Perinatol. 2017 Sep;44(3):663-681. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2017.05.003. Epub 2017 Jul 14.

Authors

Wannasiri Lapcharoensap¹, Henry C Lee²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, CDRCP, Oregon Health & Science University, 707 Southwest Gaines Street, Portland, OR 97239, USA.
² Department of Pediatrics, California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative, Stanford University, 1265 Welch Road, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address: hclee@stanford.edu.

Abstract

Implementation of standardized practices in the delivery room fosters a safe environment to ensure that newborn infants are cared for optimally, whether or not they require extensive resuscitation. Quality improvement (QI) is an excellent methodology for implementation of standardized practices due to the multidisciplinary nature of the delivery room, complexity of tasks involved, and opportunities to track processes and outcomes. This article discusses how the delivery room is a unique environment and presents examples on how to approach delivery room QI. Key areas of potential focus for teams pursuing delivery QI include thermal regulation, optimizing respiratory support, and facilitating team communication.

Keywords: Delivery room; Labor and delivery; Neonatal resuscitation; Quality improvement; Very-low-birth-weight infant.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Cesarean Section
Communication
Delivery Rooms
Delivery, Obstetric*
Female
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Very Low Birth Weight
Patient Care Team / organization & administration*
Patient Simulation
Perinatal Care / standards*
Pregnancy
Quality Improvement*
Resuscitation*

Grants and funding

P30 HS023506/HS/AHRQ HHS/United States