Established Evidence Results

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HOSPITAL, Guideline Change and Implementation, HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor

Intervention Description: This was a prospective cohort study of nulliparous women to determine how a new structured protocol of oxytocin augmentation within a single hospital obstetric department impacted labor outcomes. The new protocol instructs birth attendants to diagnose “prolonged labor” based on the World Health Organization (WHO) partograph before commencing oxytocin infusion for augmentation. Data from the hospital were collected prospectively and compared for two time-period cohorts: the historic control cohort (2009–2010) and the study period cohort (2012–2013). Nulliparous women with singleton, term deliveries (>37 weeks), cephalic presentation, and spontaneous onset of labor (Ten-Group Classification System (TGCS) group 1) were included in the analysis.

Intervention Results: The study cohort and control cohort comprised 1103 (26.2%) and 1399 (33.1%) of all laboring women, respectively (p < .01). The protocol was followed satisfactorily in 78% of the study cohort. The use of oxytocin augmentation was reduced in the study cohort versus the control cohort; 41.3 versus 48.9% (p < .01); mean oxytocin infusion duration was shorter (100 versus 123 min; p < .01); and mean total oxytocin dose decreased (1009 versus 1293 mU; p < .01). The cesarean section rate was 5.9% in the study cohort versus 8.0% in the control cohort (p = .04). The estimated mean duration of the active phase of labor increased by 47 min (p < .01) after the implementation. The frequency of estimated postpartum hemorrhage >1000 ml was higher, 4.9 versus 2.0% (p < .01), but the use of blood transfusions remained stable, 2.5 versus 2.7% (p = .78), the study cohort versus control cohort, respectively.

Conclusion: Implementation of a protocol of structured use of oxytocin augmentation reduced the frequency, dosage, and duration of oxytocin without increasing the cesarean section rate in TGCS group 1.

Setting: Obstetric Department of Sørlandet Hospital, Kristiansand, Norway

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Active Management of Labor, , HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE

Intervention Description: The aim of this study was to determine whether compliance with a checklist-based protocol for oxytocin administration was associated with changes in neonatal and maternal outcomes.

Intervention Results: Among patients with complete adherence to the oxytocin administration protocol, the rate of cesarean section in the unadjusted analysis was 16.20%, compared to 18.54% for those with incomplete adherence; the rates of postpartum hemorrhage were 2.64% vs. 3.14%, respectively, and the rates of NICU admission were 3.03% vs. 3.86%, respectively. In the multivariable logistic regression, complete protocol adherence was associated with significantly lower odds of postpartum hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76–0.94) but higher odds of Cesarean section (adjusted OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.13); the adjusted OR for NICU admission was 0.90, which did not reach statistical significance (95% CI 0.81–1.00). Among the covariates, nulliparity and elective induction were the strongest predictors of the primary outcomes of cesarean section, postpartum hemorrhage, and NICU admission.

Conclusion: Adherence to the oxytocin administration protocol was associated with a decrease in postpartum hemorrhage but an increased risk of delivery by cesarean section.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor, Prolonged Second Stage of Labor

Intervention Description: RCT. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were compared among women with amniotomy versus women with intact membranes and no amniotomy at 6 2-hour time intervals: before oxytocin initiation, 0 to <2 hours after oxytocin, 2 to <4 hours after, 4 to <6 hours after, 6 to <8 hours after, and 8 to <10 hours after

Intervention Results: Of 6,106 women in the parent trial, 2,854 (46.7%) women met inclusion criteria. Of these 2,340 (82.0%) underwent amniotomy, and majority of the women had amniotomy performed between 2 and <6 hours after oxytocin. Cesarean delivery was less frequent among women with amniotomy 6 to <8 hours after oxytocin compared with women without amniotomy (21.9 vs. 29.7%; adjusted odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.42-0.89). Amniotomy at time intervals ≥4 hours after oxytocin was associated with lower odds of labor duration >24 hours. Amniotomy at time intervals ≥2 hours and <8 hours after oxytocin was associated with lower odds of maternal hospitalization >3 days. Amniotomy was not associated with postpartum or neonatal complications.

Conclusion: Among a contemporary cohort of nulliparous women undergoing term labor induction, amniotomy was associated with either lower or similar odds of cesarean delivery and other adverse outcomes, compared with no amniotomy.

Setting: Hospitals

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women undergoing induction of labor with oxytocin at or after 38 weeks' pregnancy.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Active Management of Labor, PROVIDER/PRACTICE

Intervention Description: To compare routine amniotomy and early intravenous oxytocin (active management of labour) with a more selective use of amniotomy and oxytocin in women in true labour who received comparable continuous supportive midwifery care.

Intervention Results: Maternal characteristics were comparable in both groups. Amniotomy was more often performed (91% versus 57%, P <0.01) and oxytocin more often used (53% versus 27%, P < 0.01) in the active management group. The first stage of labour, however, was only shortened by half an hour in the active management group (254 min versus 283 min, P = 0.087). Caesarean section rate (3.9% versus 2.6%), spontaneous vaginal delivery rate (78% versus 79%) and neonatal outcome were not significantly different between groups.

Conclusion: Within a set-up of strict labour diagnosis and supportive midwifery care, routine amniotomy and early use of oxytocin offered no advantage over a more selective use of amniotomy and oxytocin in terms of mode of delivery and labour duration.

Study Design: RCT

Setting: 1 urban teaching hospital

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women who gave birth after enrollment between January 1993 and March 1994

Data Source: Not specified

Sample Size: Total (n=306) Intervention (n=152) Control (n=154)

Age Range: Not Specified

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor

Intervention Description: This was a secondary analysis of the Consortium on Safe Labor data set to examine whether there is a threshold of oxytocin exposure at which the risk for primary cesarean increases among women who are nulliparous with a term, singleton, vertex fetus (NTSV) and how oxytocin interacts with other risk factors to contribute to this outcome. The sample comprised 17,331 women who were exposed to oxytocin during labor.

Intervention Results: The sample comprised 17,331 women who were exposed to oxytocin during labor. The women were predominantly white non-Hispanic (59.2%) with an average (SD) gestational age of 39.4 (1.1) weeks and an 18.5% primary cesarean rate. Exposure to greater than 11,400-milliunits (mU) of oxytocin resulted in 1.6 times increased odds of primary cesarean birth compared with less than 11,400 mU (95% CI 1.01-2.6).

Conclusion: Exposure to greater than 11,400 mU of oxytocin in labor was associated with an increased odds of primary cesarean birth in NTSV women.

Setting: Electronic medical records from 19 U.S. hospitals (Consortium on Safe Labor data set)

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women with term singleton vertex gestations

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): PROVIDER/PRACTICE, Continuity of Care (Caseload), HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor, Midwifery

Intervention Description: To explore the relationship between the degree to which labour is established on admission to hospital and method of birth.

Intervention Results: Nulliparous women randomised to standard care were more likely to have labour augmented than those having caseload care (54.2% and 45.5% respectively, p=0.008), but were no more likely to use epidural analgesia. They were admitted earlier in labour, spending 1.1 hours longer than those in the caseload arm in hospital before the birth (p=0.003). Parous women allocated to standard care were more likely than those in the caseload arm to use epidural analgesia (10.0% and 5.3% respectively, p=0.047), but were no more likely to have labour augmented. They were also admitted earlier in labour, with a median cervical dilatation of 4 cm compared with 5 cm in the caseload arm (p=0.012). Pooling the two randomised groups of nulliparous women, and after adjusting for randomised group, maternal age and maternal body mass index, early admission to hospital was strongly associated with caesarean section. Admission before the cervix was 5 cm dilated increased the odds 2.4-fold (95%CI 1.4, 4.0; p=0.001). Augmentation of labour and use of epidural analgesia were each strongly associated with caesarean section (adjusted odds ratios 3.10 (95%CI 2.1, 4.5) and 5.77 (95%CI 4.0, 8.4) respectively.

Conclusion: These findings that women allocated to caseload care were admitted to hospital later in labour, and that earlier admission was strongly associated with birth by caesarean section, suggest that remaining at home somewhat longer in labour may be one of the mechanisms by which caseload care was effective in reducing caesarean section in the COSMOS trial.

Study Design: RCT

Setting: 1 large, tertiary maternity hospital

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women with a planned vaginal delivery who gave birth after recruitment between September 2007 and June 20102

Data Source: Not specified

Sample Size: n=1,532

Age Range: Not Specified

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): PATIENT/CONSUMER, Childbirth Education Classes, PROVIDER/PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor, Labor Support, Midwifery

Intervention Description: Active management of labor is a multifaceted program that, as implemented at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin, is associated with a lower rate of cesarean delivery than the rate usually found in the United States. We conducted a randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of this approach in lowering the rate of cesarean section among women delivering their first babies.

Intervention Results: Rate of CS among protocol-eligible women lower in AMOL group vs. control group (10.9% vs. 11.5%; p>0.05) after adjustment for epidural use and adoption of final protocol (three hours for second stage of labor with epidural); (OR=0.9, 95% CI: 0.4–1.9)

Conclusion: Active management of labor did not reduce the rate of cesarean section in nulliparous women but was associated with a somewhat shorter duration of labor and less maternal fever.

Study Design: RCT

Setting: 1 women’s hospital

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women who gave birth between June 10, 1991 and October 17, 1993

Data Source: Not specified

Sample Size: Total (n=1,915) Intervention (n=1,009) Control (n=906)

Age Range: Not Specified

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): PROVIDER/PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor

Intervention Description: We conducted a randomized trial in which nulliparous women in spontaneous labor at term were randomly assigned to either active management of labor or traditional management.

Intervention Results: For the women assigned to active management (n = 351), the cesarean-section rate was 10.5 percent, as compared with 14.1 percent for those assigned to traditional management (n = 354, P = 0.18). The 26 percent reduction in the cesarean-section rate was due primarily to a decrease in dystocia. After we controlled for potential confounding variables, the reduction in the rate of delivery by cesarean section was statistically significant (odds ratio for women given active as compared with traditional management, 0.57; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.36 to 0.95). With active management, the average length of labor was shortened by 1.66 hours, principally because of earlier amniotomy and earlier use of oxytocin. There was no increase in maternal or neonatal morbidity, and there were significantly fewer infectious complications in the mothers.

Conclusion: The program we studied for the active management of labor reduces the incidence of dystocia and increases the rate of vaginal delivery without increasing maternal or neonatal morbidity.

Study Design: RCT

Setting: 1 university hospital in Illinois

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women who gave birth between February 5, 1990 and March 1, 1991

Data Source: Not specified

Sample Size: Total (n=705) Intervention (n=351) Control (n=354)

Age Range: Not Specified

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Provider Training/Education, Active Management of Labor, Labor Support, HOSPITAL, STATE, Quality Improvement, Policy/Guideline (State), Collaboratives, Policy/Guideline (Hospital)

Intervention Description: California hospitals whose nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex cesarean delivery rates were above the Healthy People 2020 goal of 23.9% in 2015 were invited to participate in the Supporting Vaginal Birth collaborative led by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). The participating hospitals were organized into small teams of six to eight hospitals each led by a physician and a nurse mentor who provided clinical expertise and quality-improvement coaching. The mentors were from other hospitals and had experience in prior CMQCC quality collaboratives. The collaborative focused on implementation of ACOG–SMFM guidelines for labor management and on increasing nursing labor support. A modified Institute for Healthcare Improvement Breakthrough Series collaborative model was used with monthly team check-in phone calls and sharing of implementation ideas and materials. Hospitals received training materials, Grand Rounds for physicians and nurses, educational webinars, and on-site assistance from their mentors.

Intervention Results: Among collaborative hospitals, the nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex cesarean delivery rate fell from 29.3% in 2015 to 25.0% in 2017 (2017 vs 2015 adjusted OR [aOR] 0.76, 95% CI 0.73-0.78). None of the six safety measures showed any difference comparing 2017 to 2015. As a sensitivity analysis, we examined the tercile of hospitals with the greatest decline (31.2%-20.6%, 2017 vs 2015 aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.50-0.58) to evaluate whether they had greater risk of poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Again, no measure was statistically worse, and the severe unexpected newborn complications composite actually declined (3.2%-2.2%, aOR 0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.92).

Conclusion: Mothers and neonates participating in a large-scale Supporting Vaginal Birth collaborative had no evidence of worsened birth outcomes, even in hospitals with large cesarean delivery rate reductions, supporting the safety of efforts to reduce primary cesarean delivery using American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine guidelines and enhanced labor support.

Setting: 56 California hospitals

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women with term singleton vertex gestations

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor, Labor Support, Midwifery, Prolonged Second Stage of Labor, HOSPITAL, Chart Audit and Feedback, Guideline Change and Implementation

Intervention Description: 419 consecutive patients were divided into two groups, with one group (216 patients) receiving “standard management” (with medical acceleration of labor commencing at the ‘‘action line’’ in the case of arrested or protracted labor) and the other group (203 patients) receiving “comprehensive management” (CM) where arrested or protracted labor was considered a warning sign promoting further diagnostic assessment prior to considering intervention. Comprehensive management included the daily audit and discussion of clinical cases by medical and midwifery staff; the introduction of intrapartum ultrasonography alongside traditional clinical assessment to determine fetal head and trunk position accurately; one-on-one labor support facilitated by midwives and/or labor partners; and attention to the psychological well-being of the patient throughout labor and delivery.

Intervention Results: his study included 3283 and 3068 women in the before and after periods, respectively. The groups had similar general and obstetric characteristics. The global cesarean delivery rate decreased significantly from 9.4% in the preguideline to 6.9% in the postguideline period (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.85; P < .01). The cesarean delivery rate for arrest of first-stage labor fell by half, from 1.8% to 0.9% (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.81; P < .01) but was significant only among nulliparous women. The cesarean delivery rate for second-stage arrest of labor decreased but not significantly between periods (1.3% vs 1.0%; odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.44-1.22; P = .2), and the cesarean delivery rate for failure of induction remained similar (3.7% vs 3.5%; odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-13.24; P = .88). The median duration of labor before cesarean delivery also became significantly longer among nulliparous women during the later period. Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ between the 2 periods, except that the rate of 1 minute Apgar score <7 fell significantly in the later period (8.4% vs 6.9%; odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.97; P = .02).

Conclusion: The modification of our protocol by implementing the new consensus recommendations was associated with a reduction of the rate of primary cesarean delivery performed for arrest of labor with no apparent increase in immediate adverse neonatal outcomes in nulliparous women at term with singleton pregnancies in vertex presentation and with epidural anesthesia. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term maternal and neonatal safety of these policies.

Setting: Obstetric Unit of Sesto San Giovanni Hospital, Milan, Italy, an urban community hospital

Population of Focus: nulliparous women with a single fetus in cephalic presentation, in spontaneous labor at term or induced labor post term.

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Active Management of Labor, PROVIDER/PRACTICE

Intervention Description: To evaluate whether active management of labor lowers cesarean section rates, shortens the length of labor, and overcomes any negative effects of epidural analgesia on nulliparous labor.

Intervention Results: The cesarean section rate in the active management of labor group was lower than that of controls but not significantly so (active management, 7.5%; controls, 11.7%; p = 0.36). The length of labor in the active management group was shortened by 1.7 hours (from 11.4 to 9.7 hours, p = 0.001). Fifty-five percent of patients received epidural analgesics; a reduction in length of labor persisted despite the use of epidural analgesics (active management 11.2 hours vs control 13.3 hours, p = 0.001). A significantly greater proportion of active management patients were delivered by 12 hours compared with controls (75% vs 58%, p = 0.01); this difference also persisted despite the use of epidural analgesics (66% vs 51%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Patients undergoing active management had shortened labors and were more likely to be delivered within 12 hours, differences that persisted despite the use of epidural analgesics. There was a trend toward a reduced rate of cesarean section.

Study Design: RCT

Setting: 1 public university hospital in New Mexico

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women who gave birth from August 1992 and April 1996

Data Source: Not specified

Sample Size: Total (n=405) Intervention (n=200) Control (n=205)

Age Range: Not Specified

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): PROVIDER/PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor, HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE

Intervention Description: To test whether a policy of active management of nulliparous labour would reduce the rate of caesarean section and prolonged labour without influencing maternal satisfaction.

Intervention Results: Active management of labour did not reduce the rate of caesarean section 30/320 (9.4%), compared with 32/331 (9.7%) for routine care, but did shorten the length of first stage of labour (median 240 min vs 290 min; P = 0.02), and reduce the relative risk of prolonged labour (RR 0.39; 95% CI 0.22, 0.71). There were no differences between groups in the rates of newborn nursery admission, neonatal acidosis, low Apgar scores, or postpartum haemorrhage. Satisfaction with labour care was high (77%) and did not differ between groups.

Conclusion: Active management of labour reduced the duration of the first stage of labour without affecting the rate of caesarean section, maternal satisfaction, or other maternal or newborn morbidity.

Study Design: RCT

Setting: 1 women’s hospital

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women who gave birth after recruitment between June 1993 and August 1997

Data Source: Not specified

Sample Size: Total (n=651) Intervention (n=320) Control (n=331)

Age Range: Not Specified

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor, HOSPITAL, Guideline Change and Implementation, Quality Improvement

Intervention Description: Hospital protocol was modified to align with the new consensus recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). In the new protocol, the cutoff point between the latent and active phases of the first stage of labor was changed from 4 to >6 cm and the definitions of arrest of labor, lack of progress, and failed induction were revised to allow laboring women more time to progress before additional medical interventions were indicated.

Intervention Results: This study included 3283 and 3068 women in the before and after periods, respectively. The groups had similar general and obstetric characteristics. The global cesarean delivery rate decreased significantly from 9.4% in the preguideline to 6.9% in the postguideline period (odds ratio, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.59–0.85; P < .01). The cesarean delivery rate for arrest of first-stage labor fell by half, from 1.8% to 0.9% (odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence interval, 0.31–0.81; P < .01) but was significant only among nulliparous women. The cesarean delivery rate for second-stage arrest of labor decreased but not significantly between periods (1.3% vs 1.0%; odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.44–1.22; P = .2), and the cesarean delivery rate for failure of induction remained similar (3.7% vs 3.5%; odds ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.06–13.24; P = .88). The median duration of labor before cesarean delivery also became significantly longer among nulliparous women during the later period. Maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ between the 2 periods, except that the rate of 1 minute Apgar score <7 fell significantly in the later period (8.4% vs 6.9%; odds ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.66–0.97; P = .02).

Conclusion: The modification of our protocol by implementing the new consensus recommendations was associated with a reduction of the rate of primary cesarean delivery performed for arrest of labor with no apparent increase in immediate adverse neonatal outcomes in nulliparous women at term with singleton pregnancies in vertex presentation and with epidural anesthesia. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term maternal and neonatal safety of these policies.

Setting: University referral hospital in Poissy, France

Population of Focus: All women with a singleton pregnancy at term (!37 weeks of gestation), in vertex presentation, with spontaneous or induced labor, and with epidural anesthesia

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Provider Training/Education, Active Management of Labor, HOSPITAL, Chart Audit and Feedback, Quality Improvement,

Intervention Description: From 2008 through 2015, a multi-strategy approach that included provider education, provider feedback, and implementation of new policies was used to target evidence-based and inferred factors that influence the cesarean delivery rate among nulliparous patients with term singleton vertex gestations. This quality improvement initiative included the standardization of fetal heart rate tracing, provider training based on consensus guidelines, and the implementation of audits and provider feedback.

Intervention Results: More than 20,000 NTSV deliveries were analyzed, including more than 15,000 during the intervention period. The NTSV cesarean delivery rate declined from 35% to 21% over eight years. The total cesarean delivery rate declined as well. Increase in meconium aspiration syndrome and maternal transfusion were observed.

Conclusion: Quality improvement initiatives can decrease the NTSV cesarean delivery rate. Any increased incidence of fetal or maternal complications associated with decreased NTSV cesarean delivery rate should be considered in the context of the risks and benefits of vaginal delivery compared to cesarean delivery.

Setting: A single tertiary care academic medical center

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women with term singleton vertex gestations

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): Guideline Change and Implementation, HOSPITAL, POPULATION-BASED SYSTEMS, NATIONAL, Policy/Guideline (National), PROFESSIONAL_CAREGIVER, Consensus Guideline Implementation, HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor

Intervention Description: To evaluate the rate of primary cesarean delivery after adopting labor management guidelines.

Intervention Results: Among women delivering after induction or augmentation, the cesarean delivery rate decreased from 35.5% to 24.5% (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.91). The overall cesarean delivery rate decreased from 26.9% to 18.8% (adjusted OR 0.59, CI 0.38-0.92). Composite maternal morbidity was reduced (adjusted OR 0.66, CI 0.46-0.94). The frequency of cesarean delivery documenting arrest of dilation at less than 6 cm decreased from 7.1% to 1.1% postguideline (n=182 and 176 preguideline and postguideline, respectively, P=.006) with no change in other indications.

Conclusion: Postguideline, the cesarean delivery rate among nulliparous women attempting vaginal delivery was substantially reduced in association with decreased frequency in the diagnosis of arrest of dilation at less than 6 cm.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort

Setting: 1 public university hospital in Pennsylvania

Population of Focus: Nulliparous women who gave birth between September 13, 2013 and February 28, 2014 and between May 1, 2014, to September 28, 2014

Data Source: Not specified

Sample Size: Total (n=567) Pre-intervention (n=275) Post-intervention (n=292)

Age Range: Not Specified

Intervention Components (click on component to see a list of all articles that use that intervention): HEALTH_CARE_PROVIDER_PRACTICE, Active Management of Labor, Provider Training/Education, HOSPITAL, Quality Improvement, Chart Audit and Feedback, Guideline Change and Implementation,

Intervention Description: This quality improvement project was planned, implemented, and evaluated over an 8‐month time period from July 2018 through March 2019. Within this time frame, 7 weeks from October through December were devoted to four plan‐do‐study‐act (PDSA) cycles. The tests of change implemented during the PDSA cycles included both team engagement (interdisciplinary team huddles) and process changes (pilot of a best practices checklist (based on evidence-based guidelines) and audits of unplanned cesarean births). Interdisciplinary teams met regularly (53 times during the study period) to review individual cases, checklists, and audit data, and contribute to the decision-making process with the aim of reducing C-section rates.

Intervention Results: Over 7 weeks, 13 of 55 NTSV patients gave birth by cesarean, resulting in an NTSV CB rate of 23.6%. Fifty-three huddles were held by 218 staff members for 28 patients. Team engagement scores improved from 85% to 98%. Although the effective care CB scores trended upward, the overall mean was 51%.

Conclusion: Interdisciplinary team huddles, coupled with the use of a best practices checklist and feedback from audits, achieved a more effective use of CB in the NTSV patient population.

Setting: Community hospital in Mid-atlantic state

Population of Focus: Nulliparous patients with term singleton vertex gestations