Obstetrics Hospitalists: Risk Management Implications

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2015 Sep;42(3):507-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2015.05.008. Epub 2015 Jul 8.

Abstract

The concept of having an in-house obstetrician (serving as an obstetrics [OB] hospitalist) available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week provides a safety net for OB events that many need immediate intervention for a successful outcome. A key precept of risk management, that of loss prevention, fits perfectly with the addition of an OB hospitalist role in the perinatal department. Inherent in the role of OB hospitalists are the patient safety and risk management principles of improved communication, enhanced readiness, and immediate availability.

Keywords: In-house obstetrician; Laborist; OB hospitalist; Obstetric emergencies; Perinatal safety net; Risk management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Female
  • Gynecology / organization & administration
  • Gynecology / standards*
  • Hospitalists / organization & administration
  • Hospitalists / standards*
  • Humans
  • Obstetrics / organization & administration
  • Obstetrics / standards*
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital / standards
  • Organizational Policy
  • Patient Safety / standards*
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Management
  • United States
  • Workforce