The impact of transmural multiprofessional simulation-based obstetric team training on perinatal outcome and quality of care in the Netherlands

Background Perinatal mortality and morbidity in the Netherlands is relatively high compared to other European countries. Our country has a unique system with an independent primary care providing care to low-risk pregnancies and a secondary/tertiary care responsible for high-risk pregnancies. About 65% of pregnant women in the Netherlands will be referred from primary to secondary care implicating multiple medical handovers. Dutch audits concluded that in the entire obstetric collaborative network process parameters could be improved. Studies have shown that obstetric team training improves perinatal outcome and that simulation-based obstetric team training implementing crew resource management (CRM) improves team performance. In addition, deliberate practice (DP) improves medical skills. The aim of this study is to analyse whether transmural multiprofessional simulation-based obstetric team training improves perinatal outcome. Methods/Design The study will be implemented in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands with an annual delivery rate of over 9,000. In this area secondary care is provided by four hospitals. Each hospital with referring primary care practices will form a cluster (study group). Within each cluster, teams will be formed of different care providers representing the obstetric collaborative network. CRM and elements of DP will be implemented in the training. To analyse the quality of care as perceived by patients, the Pregnancy and Childbirth Questionnaire (PCQ) will be used. Furthermore, self-reported collaboration between care providers will be assessed. Team performance will be measured by the Clinical Teamwork Scale (CTS). We employ a stepped-wedge trial design with a sequential roll-out of the trainings for the different study groups. Primary outcome will be perinatal mortality and/or admission to a NICU. Secondary outcome will be team performance, quality of care as perceived by patients, and collaboration among care providers. Conclusion The effect of transmural multiprofessional simulation-based obstetric team training on perinatal outcome has never been studied. We hypothesise that this training will improve perinatal outcome, team performance, and quality of care as perceived by patients and care providers

Resonant two-site tunnelling dynamics of bosons in a tilted optical superlattice

We study the non-equilibrium dynamics of a 1D Bose-Hubbard model in a gradient potential and a superlattice, beginning from a deep Mott insulator regime with an average filling of one particle per site. Studying a quench that is near resonance to tunnelling of the particles over two lattice sites, we show how a spin model emerges consisting of two coupled Ising chains that are coupled by interaction terms in a staggered geometry. We compare and contrast the behavior in this case with that in a previously studied case where the resonant tunnelling was over a single site. Using optimized tensor network techniques to calculate finite temperature behavior of the model, as well as finite size scaling for the ground state, we conclude that the universality class of the phase transition for the coupled chains is that of a tricritical Ising point. We also investigate the out-of-equilibrium dynamics after the quench in the vicinity of the resonance and compare dynamics with recent experiments realized without the superlattice geometry. This model is directly realizable in current experiments, and reflects a new general way to realize spin models with ultracold atoms in optical lattices.Comment: 12 pages, 6 figure

Effectiveness of team training in managing shoulder dystocia: a retrospective study

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of simulation team training for the management of shoulder dystocia. Primary outcome measures were the number of reported cases of shoulder dystocia, as well as fetal injury that occurred from it. Secondary outcome is documentation of manoeuvres used to alleviate shoulder dystocia. Methods: Retrospective cohort study in a teaching hospital in the Netherlands, in a 38 month period before and after implementation of team training. Results: We compared 3492 term vaginal cephalic deliveries with 3496 deliveries before and after team training. Incidence of shoulder dystocia increased from 51 to 90 cases (RR 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3–2.5)). Fetal injury occurred in 16 and eight cases, respectively (RR 0.50 (95% CI: 0.21–1.2)). Before team training started, the all-fours manoeuvre was never used, while after team training it was used in 41 of 90 cases (45%). Proper documentation of all manoeuvres used to alleviate shoulder dystocia significantly increased after team training (RR 1.6 (95% CI: 1.05–2.5)). Conclusions: Simulation team training increased the frequency of shoulder dystocia, facilitated implementation of the all-fours technique, improved documentation of delivery notes and may have a beneficial effect on the number of children injured due to shoulder dystocia

Effectiveness of team training in managing shoulder dystocia:a retrospective study

\u3cp\u3eObjectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of simulation team training for the management of shoulder dystocia. Primary outcome measures were the number of reported cases of shoulder dystocia, as well as fetal injury that occurred from it. Secondary outcome is documentation of manoeuvres used to alleviate shoulder dystocia. Methods: Retrospective cohort study in a teaching hospital in the Netherlands, in a 38 month period before and after implementation of team training. Results: We compared 3492 term vaginal cephalic deliveries with 3496 deliveries before and after team training. Incidence of shoulder dystocia increased from 51 to 90 cases (RR 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3–2.5)). Fetal injury occurred in 16 and eight cases, respectively (RR 0.50 (95% CI: 0.21–1.2)). Before team training started, the all-fours manoeuvre was never used, while after team training it was used in 41 of 90 cases (45%). Proper documentation of all manoeuvres used to alleviate shoulder dystocia significantly increased after team training (RR 1.6 (95% CI: 1.05–2.5)). Conclusions: Simulation team training increased the frequency of shoulder dystocia, facilitated implementation of the all-fours technique, improved documentation of delivery notes and may have a beneficial effect on the number of children injured due to shoulder dystocia.\u3c/p\u3

Induction of necrosis and DNA fragmentation during hypothermic preservation of hepatocytes in UW, HTK, and Celsior solutions

Donor cells can be preserved in University of Wisconsin (UW), histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK), or Celsior solution. However, differences in efficacy and mode of action in preventing hypothermia-induced cell injury have not been unequivocally clarified. Therefore, we investigated and compared necrotic and apoptotic cell death of freshly isolated primary porcine hepatocytes after hypothermic preservation in UW, HTK, and Celsior solutions and subsequent normothermic culturing. Hepatocytes were isolated from porcine livers, divided in fractions, and hypothermically (4degreesC) stored in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), UW, HTK, or Celsior solution. Cell necrosis and apoptosis were assessed after 24- and 48-h hypothermic storage and after 24-h normothermic culturing following the hypothermic preservation periods. Necrosis was assessed by trypan blue exclusion, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and mitochondrial 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction. Apoptosis was assessed by the induction of histone-associated DNA fragments and cellular caspase-3 activity. Trypan blue exclusion, LDH release, and MTT reduction of hypothermically preserved hepatocytes showed a decrease in cell viability of more than 50% during the first 24 h of hypothermic preservation. Cell viability was further decreased after 48-h preservation. DNA fragmentation was slightly enhanced in hepatocytes after preservation in all solutions, but caspase-3 activity was not significantly increased in these cells. Normothermic culturing of hypothermically preserved cells further decreased cell viability as assessed by LDH release and MTT reduction. Normotherinic culturing of hypothermically preserved hepatocytes induced DNA fragmentation, but caspase-3 activity was not enhanced in these cells. Trypan blue exclusion, LDH leakage, and MTT reduction demonstrated the highest cell viability after storage in Celsior, and DNA fragmentation was the lowest in cells that had been stored in PBS and UW solutions. None of the preservation solutions tested in this study was capable of adequately preventing cell death of isolated porcine hepatocytes after 24-h hypothermic preservation and subsequent 24-h normothermic culturing. Culturing of isolated and hypothermically preserved hepatocytes induces DNA fragmentation, but does not lead to caspase-3 activation. With respect to necrosis and DNA fragmentation of hypothermically preserved cells, UW and Celsior were superior to PBS and HTK solutions in this model of isolated porcine hepatocyte preservatio

Interventions for intrauterine resuscitation in suspected fetal distress during term labor:A systematic review

\u3cp\u3eIMPORTANCE: Intrauterine resuscitation techniques during term labor are commonly used in daily clinical practice. Evidence, however, to support the beneficial effect of intrauterine resuscitation techniques on fetal distress during labor is limited and sometimes contradictory. In contrast, some of these interventions may even be harmful.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eOBJECTIVE: To give insight into the current evidence on intrauterine resuscitation techniques. In addition, we formulate recommendations for current clinical practice and propose directions for further research.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eEVIDENCE ACQUISITION: We systematically searched the electronic PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases for studies on intrauterine resuscitation for suspected fetal distress during term labor until February 2015. Eligible articles and their references were independently assessed by 2 authors. Judgment was based on methodological quality and study results.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eRESULTS: Our literature search identified 15 studies: 4 studies on amnioinfusion, 1 study on maternal hyperoxygenation, 1 study on maternal repositioning, 1 study on intravenous fluid administration, and 8 studies on tocolysis. Of these 15 research papers, 3 described a randomized controlled trial; all other studies were observational reports or case reports.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eCONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Little robust evidence to promote a specific intrauterine resuscitation technique is available. Based on our literature search, we support the use of tocolysis and maternal repositioning for fetal distress. We believe the effect of amnioinfusion and maternal hyperoxygenation should be further investigated in properly designed randomized controlled trials to make up the balance between beneficial and potential hazardous effects.\u3c/p\u3

Practice variation in the management of intrapartum fetal distress in The Netherlands and the Western world

\u3cp\u3eOBJECTIVE: Solid evidence on the effect of intrauterine resuscitation on neonatal outcome is limited, and superiority of one intervention over the others is not clear. We therefore surveyed the clinical practice variation in fetal monitoring and the management of fetal distress during labor, in Dutch labor wards. In addition, we have compared recommendations from international guidelines.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eSTUDY DESIGN: We conducted a survey among all 86 Dutch hospitals, using a questionnaire on fetal monitoring and management of fetal distress. In addition, we requested international guidelines of 28 Western countries to study international recommendations regarding labor management.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eRESULTS: The response rate of the national survey was 100%. Labor wards of all hospitals use CTG for fetal monitoring, 98% use additional fetal scalp blood sampling, and 23% use ST-analysis. When fetal distress is suspected, oxytocin is discontinued and tocolytic drugs are applied in all hospitals. Nearly all hospitals (98%) use maternal reposition for fetal resuscitation, 33% use amnioinfusion, and 58% provide maternal hyperoxygenation. Management is mainly based on the Dutch national guideline (58%) or on local guidelines (26%). Eight international guidelines on fetal monitoring were obtained for analysis. Fetal scalp blood sampling facilities are recommended in all the obtained guidelines. Use of ST-analysis is recommended in three guidelines and advised against in three guidelines. Five guidelines also advised on intrauterine resuscitation: discontinuation of oxytocin and use of tocolytic drugs was advised in all guidelines, amnioinfusion was recommended in two guidelines and advised against in two guidelines, whereas maternal hyperoxygenation was recommended in two guidelines and advised against in one guideline.\u3c/p\u3e\u3cp\u3eCONCLUSION: Nationwide clinical practice, and recommendations from international guidelines agree on the use of fetal scalp blood sampling in addition to cardiotocography during labor. The opinion on the use of ST-analysis differs per clinic and per guideline. Discontinuation of oxytocin, administration of tocolytic drugs and maternal repositioning are rather uniform, on national and international level. However, there is a large variation in the use of amnioinfusion and maternal hyperoxygenation, which may be explained by the contradictory recommendations of the different guidelines.\u3c/p\u3

Assessing teamwork performance in obstetrics:a systematic search and review of validated tools

\u3cp\u3eTeamwork performance is an essential component for the clinical efficiency of multi-professional teams in obstetric care. As patient safety is related to teamwork performance, it has become an important learning goal in simulation-based education. In order to improve teamwork performance, reliable assessment tools are required. These can be used to provide feedback during training courses, or to compare learning effects between different types of training courses. The aim of the current study is to (1) identify the available assessment tools to evaluate obstetric teamwork performance in a simulated environment, and (2) evaluate their psychometric properties in order to identify the most valuable tool(s) to use. We performed a systematic search in PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE to identify articles describing assessment tools for the evaluation of obstetric teamwork performance in a simulated environment. In order to evaluate the quality of the identified assessment tools the standards and grading rules have been applied as recommended by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Committee on Educational Outcomes. The included studies were also assessed according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (OCEBM) levels of evidence. This search resulted in the inclusion of five articles describing the following six tools: Clinical Teamwork Scale, Human Factors Rating Scale, Global Rating Scale, Assessment of Obstetric Team Performance, Global Assessment of Obstetric Team Performance, and the Teamwork Measurement Tool. Based on the ACGME guidelines we assigned a Class 3, level C of evidence, to all tools. Regarding the OCEBM levels of evidence, a level 3b was assigned to two studies and a level 4 to four studies. The Clinical Teamwork Scale demonstrated the most comprehensive validation, and the Teamwork Measurement Tool demonstrated promising results, however it is recommended to further investigate its reliability.\u3c/p\u3

Risk factors of incomplete apgar score and umbilical cord blood gas analysis:a retrospective observational study

\u3cp\u3eObjective: To investigate whether incomplete umbilical cord blood gas (UCBG) analysis occurs more often than the incomplete reporting of the Apgar score, and risk factors associated with the incomplete values. Methods: A total of 8824 infants born alive after 26 weeks’ gestation between January 2009 and April 2013 were included. We extracted data on five-minute Apgar score, UCBG analysis, gestational age, mode of delivery, time of delivery and multiple pregnancy. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Five-minute Apgar score was incomplete in 15 cases (0.2%) and UCBG analysis in 1960 cases (22.2%), p<0.05. Incomplete UCBG analysis was significantly more likely to occur in situations with Apgar score below seven (Odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95% CI;1.29-2.19), gestational age between 26 to 27 6/7 and 28 to 31 6/7 weeks (OR 3.14, 95% CI; 2.13-4.62 and OR 1.91, 95% CI; 1.57-2.32), cesarean section (OR 1.31, 95% CI; 1.11-1.55), and multiple pregnancy (OR 2.02, 95% CI; 1.69-2.43). Deliveries during night time had a lower risk of incomplete UCBG analysis (OR 0.78, 95% CI; 0.69-0.88). Conclusions: Measuring five-minute Apgar score generated less incomplete data compared with UCBG analysis. The risk factors associated with incomplete UCBG analysis were noted. Study outcomes with UCBG analysis as neonatal assessment tool should be interpreted with caution.\u3c/p\u3

Assessing teamwork performance in obstetrics: A systematic search and review of validated tools

Teamwork performance is an essential component for the clinical efficiency of multi-professional teams in obstetric care. As patient safety is related to teamwork performance, it has become an important learning goal in simulation-based education. In order to improve teamwork performance, reliable assessment tools are required. These can be used to provide feedback during training courses, or to compare learning effects between different types of training courses. The aim of the current study is to (1) identify the available assessment tools to evaluate obstetric teamwork performance in a simulated environment, and (2) evaluate their psychometric properties in order to identify the most valuable tool(s) to use. We performed a systematic search in PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE to identify articles describing assessment tools for the evaluation of obstetric teamwork performance in a simulated environment. In order to evaluate the quality of the identified assessment tools the standards and grading rules have been applied as recommended by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Committee on Educational Outcomes. The included studies were also assessed according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine (OCEBM) levels of evidence. This search resulted in the inclusion of five articles describing the following six tools: Clinical Teamwork Scale, Human Factors Rating Scale, Global Rating Scale, Assessment of Obstetric Team Performance, Global Assessment of Obstetric Team Performance, and the Teamwork Measurement Tool. Based on the ACGME guidelines we assigned a Class 3, level C of evidence, to all tools. Regarding the OCEBM levels of evidence, a level 3b was assigned to two studies and a level 4 to four studies. The Clinical Teamwork Scale demonstrated the most comprehensive validation, and the Teamwork Measurement Tool demonstrated promising results, however it is recommended to further investigate its reliability