In April 2021, the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) issued a statement paper to provide guidance to obstetrical providers on managing the care of patients with amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) through a checklist created from standard management guidelines.
May 19, 2021 [ READ MORE ]
In the ever-evolving pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 (commonly referred to as Covid-19), there appears to be an ongoing shift in the medical community with respect to the question of whether Covid-19 can be transmitted in utero from mother to fetus. While early studies showed that transmission was unlikely, recent reports of apparent transmission have emerged creating conflicting findings.
September 8, 2020 [ READ MORE ]
According to a report posted on Frontiers in Pediatrics, doctors followed four pregnant women from the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic – Wuhan, China – who tested positive for COVID-19. The women all gave birth while actively symptomatic. The conclusion after testing and observation was that the COVID-19 virus did not pass from the mother to the fetus, and the infants were born without any of the respiratory signs of COVID-19.
March 20, 2020 [ READ MORE ]
A Google search of a phrase like "Birth Trauma causes Autism" will result in links to, inter alia, various legal websites asserting that trauma during labor and delivery is a cause of a child's autism or behavioral issues. The most recent of a series of medical articles, however, points to a potential alternative cause – maternal use of acetaminophen.
February 2020 [ READ MORE ]
In the second standard, Reduce the likelihood of harm related to maternal severe hypertension/preeclampsia, there are six elements of performance.Both of these standards address prevention, recognition, treatment and education to improve maternal outcomes. While improving outcomes is a goal every organization will support, we feel these standards may also offer the opportunity to reduce potential liability and litigation.
December 2020 [ READ MORE ]
Maternal hemorrhage is one of the most important clinical issues in obstetrics today – and a not uncommon source of potential liability in obstetrical negligence litigation. This new standard, "Reduce the likelihood of harm related to maternal hemorrhage," was based on recommendations from technical advisors, clinicians, and administrators and included extensive literature review.
October 2019 [ READ MORE ]