title: A checklist for timeout on labor and delivery: a pilot study to improve communication and safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the impact on staff communication of a standardized checklist for timeout for patients undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean section and/or elective induction at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparison of presurvey and postsurvey questionnaire results for labor and delivery personnel assessing communication before and after checklist implementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From October 2011 through March 2012, 52.9% (N=37) of 70 eligible patients had the standardized checklist for timeout performed. Prior to implementation of the checklist, 66% of respondents (48.8% of nurses, 100% of residents, 90% of attendings) slightly or strongly agreed that their opinions were heard versus 83% of respondents during the study period (73.7% of nurses, 100% of residents, 100% of attendings). Following the intervention, nurses reported that they were more likely to feel as though their opinions were heard (p = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of a formalized obstetric timeout improved the subjective perception of communication among obstetric staff. This tool has the potential to improve patient safety in labor and delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,  University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA. khullfish@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Kathie L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Hullfish
authors.forename: Taniqua
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Pastore
authors.forename: Evie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Sally A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Menei
authors.forename: Devereux N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Saller
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D057189:Checklist / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009726:Nurses; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014219:Trial of Labor; D016064:Vaginal Birth after Cesarean / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*