title: The case for OBLS: a simulation-based obstetric life support program.
abstract: Errors by health care professionals result in significant patient morbidity and mortality, and the labor and delivery ward is one of the highest risk areas in the hospital. Parturients today are of higher acuity than anytime previously, and maternal mortality is increasing. Obstetrical staff must therefore be familiar with emergency protocols geared to the maternal-fetal dyad. However, the medical literature suggests that obstetrical providers are not optimally trained to render care during maternal cardiopulmonary arrest. We describe the evolution of immersive learning and simulation in the Neonatal Resuscitation Program, and suggest the development of a multidisciplinary team, simulation-enhanced obstetric crisis training program (OBLS) may likewise benefit obstetrical health care professionals. OBLS would emphasize high quality basic life support, uterine displacement, use of an automatic external defibrillator, and delivery of the fetus within 5 minutes of maternal arrest should resuscitative efforts prove ineffective.
authors: Division of Obstetric Anesthesia, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94035, USA. steve.lipman@stanford.edu
authors: Steven Seth
authors: SS
authors: Lipman
authors: Kay I
authors: KI
authors: Daniels
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Arafeh
authors: Louis P
authors: LP
authors: Halamek
mesh_terms: D016887:Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016544:Patient Simulation; D011247:Pregnancy