Did You Know?

Noelle Moore took the Pain of losing Finley and found Purpose in change. Along with Coaching and helping others find Purpose from their Pain, one of the initiatives near and dear to the heart of Noelle Moore is systematic change and development of OB Hospitalist Programs across the country to ensure full-time, safe delivers of all babies.

1. What is an OB Hospitalist?

An obstetric hospitalist is an obstetrician and gynecologist physician who is employed by a hospital or staffing company and whose duties could include the following: Providing care for laboring patients on labor & delivery units, caring for routine gyn patient needs on inpatient floors, managing obstetric emergencies from the emergency department admissions, and cross assisting residents and midwives.

2. How many hospitals have OB Hospitalist Programs?

· There are 5,534 Hospitals in the US per the American Hospital Associations 2016 Annual Survey.

· 115 Hospitals in the country utilize a laborist or OB Hospitalist model of care (Citation: www.societyofobgynhospitalists.org)

3. Why is an OB Hospitalist needed?

· 28,000 babies per year are born with a birth injury, which equates to 2,333 per month, 538 per week, 76 per day, and 3 per hour. The 10 most common birth injuries include: Brachial Plexus Palsy (Erb’s Palsy), bone fractures, cephalohematoma, caput succedaneum, perinatal asphyxia, intracranial hemorrhage, subconjunctival hemorrhage, facial paralysis, spinal cord injuries, and cerebral palsy. Close to 50% of all birth injuries are potentially avoidable by identification and planning for obstetrical risk factors.

· Many hospitals function without OBs on property or on call

· OB Hospitalists help improve patient safety by being present and on property at all times

· OB Hospitalists reduce hospital liability risk

- OB Hospitalists assist walk-in GYN Patients as well as walk-in OB Patients

4. What would help reduce injuries and deaths of babies?

· “The early recognition of many peripartum events, including infection, hemorrhage and obstructed labor, can result in a reduction in maternal/infant mortality during labor, delivery and neonatal periods.”

· ACOG recognized the importance of timely recognition and response to emergent situations, however, ACOG Guidelines recommend that all hospitals have the capability of performing a c-section and deliver within 30 minutes of the decision to operate, but not all cases have this much time allotted. In the case of placenta abruption or cord prolapse the time interval should be less than 30 minutes.

-THEREFORE, an on-property, on-staff OB Hospitalist would help reduce mortality rates by being present, available and vigilant during the laboring process and available should emergent situations arrive.

5. What if an expecting mother only wants the one physician she knows and has seen throughout her pregnancy to be the only one to deliver her baby?

This is a very personal choice, however, if it comes down to a baby living or dying, an OB Hospitalist model needs to be considered. The reality is that without an OB on property and available, a primary OB may not be able to arrive to the hospital in a timely manner in case of an emergent situation, thus compromising the safety of the baby and mother. Therefore the question stands – Would a mother rather risk her comfortability in not knowing the OB supporting her or wait for someone she knows, putting the life of herself and the child in danger? Ultimately the choice lies in the mothers’ hand, but Know Moore Consulting exist to help educate.