Consolidation of obstetric services in a public health emergency

Semin Perinatol. 2020 Nov;44(7):151281. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2020.151281. Epub 2020 Jul 22.

Abstract

Though much of routine healthcare pauses in a public health emergency, childbirth continues uninterrupted. Crises like COVID-19 put incredible strains on healthcare systems and require strategic planning, flexible adaptability, clear communication, and judicious resource allocation. Experiences from obstetric units affected by COVID-19 highlight the importance of developing new teams and workflows to ensure patient and healthcare worker safety. Additionally, adapting a strategy that combines units and staff from different areas and hospitals can allow for synergistic opportunities to provision care appropriately to manage a structure and workforce at maximum capacity.

Keywords: COVID-19; Infection prevention; Obstetrical care; Personal protective equipment; SARS-CoV-2.

MeSH terms

  • Delivery Rooms / organization & administration
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / organization & administration*
  • Maternal Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Multi-Institutional Systems / organization & administration*
  • Obstetrics
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Operating Rooms / organization & administration
  • Pregnancy
  • SARS-CoV-2