Magee-Womens Hospital Awarded For Achievements In Reducing Elective Induced Labor

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 12 Jul 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC recently won a first-place achievement award from the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) in patient safety for achievements in researching and improving the process for elective induction of a woman's labor.

Dennis English, M.D., vice president of medical affairs at Magee, and a team of obstetricians and nurses led the initiative, recognizing the negative consequences of electively inducing labor upon mothers' requests.

Over a 15 year period, from 1989 to 2004, elective inductions in the U.S. saw a four-fold increase, escalating from 9 percent of expectant mothers in 1989 to 21 percent in 2004. Premature or inappropriate inductions-those prior to 39 weeks gestation-can lead to complications including an increased risk of cesarean birth, longer and more complicated labor, and higher risk of admission to a neonatal intensive care unit for the newborn.

To address these issues, Dr. English and his team developed stricter guidelines and criteria for electively inducing labor before the pregnancy comes to term, with only situations involving an unwell mother or infant warranting an early induction. Since the beginning of this initiative, the Magee team, with the support and cooperation of Magee's obstetrical staff, has reduced the elective induction rate before 39 weeks gestation from 12 percent to zero.

"There's a reason why Magee is one of the nation's leaders in women's health care and research," Dr. English said. "We are continually looking for new ways to improve the quality of our patients' care, and this initiative is a perfect example of that commitment."

The HAP awards program recognizes top health care providers that have developed innovative, adaptable projects that enhance patient satisfaction and improve health care quality, and that produce cost savings and other efficiencies.

Dr. English and his team also received one of last year's Fine Awards sponsored by The Fine Foundation and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation. The team won the first place Gold Award for its work in "Labor Induction Process Improvement."

Source
University of Pittsburgh

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