title: The inaccuracy of Apgar scoring.
abstract: A short Apgar quiz was prepared with eight descriptive neonatal cases. The quiz was completed by 223 health professionals caring for newborns. Pediatricians and pediatric housestaff, the most accurate scorers, assigned the correct score only 68% of the time. Nurses from community hospitals were only 24% accurate. Improper scoring limits the usefulness of the Apgar score in comparing neonates within and between hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Upstate Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, State University of New York, Syracuse.
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: D O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Hakanson
mesh_terms: D001034:Apgar Score; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male