title: Outcomes of the Evidence-Based Pitocin Administration Checklist at a Tertiary-Level Hospital.
abstract: Pitocin, a synthetic form of the hormone oxytocin, is a high-alert medication that heightens patient harm when used incorrectly. This investigation examined the outcomes of an evidence-based Pitocin administration checklist used for labor augmentation at a tertiary-level hospital. Data came from patient records. Using the Perinatal Trigger Tool, N = 372 clinical records (n = 194 prior to and n = 178 following checklist implementation) were reviewed. Checklist implementation resulted in statistically significant reductions in the duration of hospitalization (1.72 vs. 2.02 days, p = .0005), presence of meconium (23.7% vs. 6.7%, p < .001), maternal fevers (7.2% vs. 2.3%, p = .030), and episiotomies (8.8% vs. 1.7%, p = .002), and clinically important reduction in APGAR scores < 7 at 5 min (3.6%-0.6%, p = .069) and instrumented deliveries (11.9%-8.4%, p = .307). A universal Pitocin checklist implementation can improve birth outcomes and costs of care.
authors.affiliation: Seattle University, WA, USA wojnard@seattleu.edu.
authors.forename: Danuta M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wojnar
authors.affiliation: Seattle University, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cowgill
authors.affiliation: Planned Parenthood of the Great North West, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.affiliation: Whidbey General Hospital and Clinics, Clinton, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057189:Checklist / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007751:Labor, Induced / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin
keywords: birth injuries; checklist; obstetric labor complications; oxytocin