Birth Trauma: Clinical and System Reviews, Incident Analyses
Given the broad range of potential causes of Birth Trauma, clinical and system reviews should be conducted to identify latent causes and determine appropriate recommendations.
Occurrences of harm are often complex with many contributing factors. Organizations need to:
- Measure and monitor the types and frequency of these occurrences.
- Use appropriate analytical methods to understand the contributing factors.
- Identify and implement solutions or interventions that are designed to prevent recurrence and reduce risk of harm.
- Have mechanisms in place to mitigate consequences of harm when it occurs.
To develop a more in-depth understanding of the care delivered to patients, chart audits, incident analyses and prospective analyses can be helpful in identifying quality improvement opportunities. Links to key resources for conducting chart audits and analysis methods are included in the Hospital Harm Improvement Resource Introduction.
Chart audits are recommended as a means to develop a more in-depth understanding of the care delivered to patients identified by the HHI. Chart audits help identify quality improvement opportunities.
If your review reveals that your cases of birth trauma are linked to specific processes or procedures, you may find these resources helpful:
- Association of Ontario Midwives www.ontariomidwives.ca
- Corey J, MacDonald T. Management of the Uncomplicated Pregnancy Beyond 41+0 Weeks Gestation. Association of Ontario Midwives; 2010. https://www.ontariomidwives.ca/sites/default/files/CPG%20full%20guidelines/CPG-Management-of-pregnancy-beyond-41-weeks-gestation-PUB.pdf
- British Medical Journal Open https://bmjopen.bmj.com/
- Coroneos CJ, Voineskos SH, Christakis MK, Thoma A, Bain JR, Brouwers MC. Obstetrical brachial plexus injury (OBPI): Canada's national clinical practice guideline. BMJ Open. 2017;7(1):e014141. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014141
- Cureus Journal of Medical Science https://www.cureus.com/
- Ojumah N, Ramdhan RC, Wilson C, Loukas M, Oskouian RJ, Tubbs RS. Neurological Neonatal Birth Injuries: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2017;9(12):e1938. doi:10.7759/cureus.1938
- Fanaroff & Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Eleventh Edition
- Prazad PA, Rajpal MN, Mangurten HH, Puppala BL. Birth Injuries. In: Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. 11th ed. Chapter 29. Elsevier; 2020:458-488
- HIROC www.hiroc.com
- Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada. Assisted Vaginal Deliveries. HIROC Risk Reference Sheets. Published September 2020. https://www.hiroc.com/resources/risk-reference-sheets/assisted-vaginal-deliveries
- Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada. Shoulder Dystocia. HIROC Risk Reference Sheets. Published 2020. https://www.hiroc.com/resources/risk-reference-sheets/shoulder-dystocia
- Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Canada www.jogc.ca
- Hobson S, Cassell K, Windrim R, Cargill Y. No. 381-Assisted Vaginal Birth. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2019;41(6):870-882. doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2018.10.020
- Kotaska A, Menticoglou S. No. 384-Management of breech presentation at term. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2019;41(8):1193 1205. doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2018.12.018
- Lefebvre G, Calder LA, De Gorter R, Bowman CL, Bell D, Bow M. Recommendations from a national panel on quality improvement in obstetrics. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2019; 41(5):653-659. doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2019.02.011
- Bloch C, Dore S, Hobson S. Committee Opinion No. 415: Impacted fetal head, second-stage cesarean delivery. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2021;43(3):406-413. doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2021.01.005
- Berger H, Gagnon R, Sermer M. Guideline No. 393-Diabetes in pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2019;41(12):1814-1825.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jogc.2019.03.008
- Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing
- Pressler JL. Classification of Major Newborn Birth Injuries. The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing. 2008;22(1). https://journals.lww.com/jpnnjournal/Fulltext/2008/01000/Classification_of_Major_Newborn_Birth_Injuries.13.aspx
- Merck Manual
- Stavis RL. Birth Injuries. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. Published July 2019. Accessed March 2021. https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/professional/pediatrics/perinatal-problems/birth-injuries
- MOREOB www.moreob.com
- Pediatrics in Review https://pedsinreview.aappublications.org/
- Akangire G, Carter B. Birth Injuries in Neonates. Pediatr Rev 2016;37(11):451. doi:10.1542/pir.2015-0125
- Salus Global www.salusglobal.com
- Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada www.sogc.org