Publications

The perceived effect of serious adverse perinatal events on clinical practice. Can it be objectively measured?

We identified some statistically significant changes in labour ward clinical activity in the 28 days following five out of six serious adverse perinatal events; the change in activity could not be attributed directly to the preceding adverse event.

Authors: Karen McNamara, Keelin O'Donoghue
Year: 2019
Journal Name: European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology (EJOG)
Category: Journal Article
Keywords: Neonatal death, Perinatal mortality, Stillbirth
Project: Impact of adverse perinatal events on healthcare professionals
Full Citation: McNamara K, O’Donoghue K. The perceived effect of serious adverse perinatal events on clinical practice. Can it be objectively measured? European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2019;240:267-272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.05.026.
Link to Publication: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.05.026

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective observational study using data from a large tertiary teaching hospital in Ireland over a 25-month period to examine if changes in clinical practice happen after an adverse event. We identified six of the most serious adverse perinatal events that occurred during the time period from the hospital’s clinical risk register. We collected and analysed information on the 6,180 deliveries that occurred during the 28 days before and after the events. There were some statistically significant changes in clinical activity in the 28 days following five of the six adverse events but we were unable to definitively conclude that the change in activity was a direct result of each event.

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, Fifth Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, T12 YE02, Ireland,