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AHRQ Research Studies Date
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 10 of 10 Research Studies DisplayedAustin N, Kristensen-Cabrera A, Sherman J
Analyzing the heterogeneity of labor and delivery units: a quantitative analysis of space and design.
This study evaluated the effect of space and design on labor and deliver (L&D) hospital units. A quantitative analysis was done to see if it made an impact on the risk of deliveries. The researchers recommend standardization of the space based on number of deliveries and cesarean sections.
AHRQ-funded; HS023506.
Citation: Austin N, Kristensen-Cabrera A, Sherman J .
Analyzing the heterogeneity of labor and delivery units: a quantitative analysis of space and design.
PLoS One 2018 Dec 26;13(12):e0209339. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209339..
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women
Neal JL, Lowe NK, Caughey AB
Applying a physiologic partograph to Consortium on Safe Labor data to identify opportunities for safely decreasing cesarean births among nulliparous women.
The aims of this study were to assess associations of labor status at admission (i.e., preactive or active) and active labor progress (i.e., dystocic or physiologic) with oxytocin augmentation, cesarean birth, and adverse neonatal outcome rates. The authors suggest that adoption of evidence-based, standardized approaches for diagnosing active labor onset, assessing labor progress, and diagnosing dystocia may safely decrease oxytocin augmentation and cesarean birth rates in the United States.
AHRQ-funded; HS024733.
Citation: Neal JL, Lowe NK, Caughey AB .
Applying a physiologic partograph to Consortium on Safe Labor data to identify opportunities for safely decreasing cesarean births among nulliparous women.
Birth 2018 Dec;45(4):358-67. doi: 10.1111/birt.12358..
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women
Neal JL, Lowe NK, Phillippi JC
Likelihood of cesarean birth among parous women after applying leading active labor diagnostic guidelines.
The goals of this study were: Determine the proportions of women admitted to the hospital before or in active labor per the leading National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists/Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (ACOG/SMFM) guidelines; Compare associations of labor status at admission with oxytocin augmentation, cesarean birth, and adverse birth outcomes when using the different active labor diagnostic guidelines. Active labor diagnostic guidelines were applied retrospectively to cervical examination data. The authors conclude that many parous women with spontaneous labor onset are admitted to the hospital before active labor, and these women are more likely to receive oxytocin augmentation during labor and to have a cesarean birth. Implications for practice are discussed.
AHRQ-funded; HS024733.
Citation: Neal JL, Lowe NK, Phillippi JC .
Likelihood of cesarean birth among parous women after applying leading active labor diagnostic guidelines.
Midwifery 2018 Dec;67:64-69. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2018.09.007..
Keywords: Decision Making, Guidelines, Hospitalization, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women
Lyndon A, Malana J, Hedi LC
Thematic analysis of women's perspectives on the meaning of safety during hospital-based birth.
This study used an interdisciplinary team of five investigators to examine women’s birth experiences in the perspective of patient safety. Five investigators in the fields of nursing, medicine, product design, and journalism analyzed transcripts to see how women felt about their physical or emotional safety during birth, and to identify opportunities for improvement in care. Teams that were well-organized promoted feelings of safety as well as human connection.
AHRQ-funded; HS023506.
Citation: Lyndon A, Malana J, Hedi LC .
Thematic analysis of women's perspectives on the meaning of safety during hospital-based birth.
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2018 May;47(3):324-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2018.02.008..
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women, Patient Safety, Patient Experience
Phillippi JC, Danhausen K, Alliman J
Neonatal outcomes in the birth center setting: a systematic review.
This systematic review examined the effects of the birth center setting on neonatal mortality in economically developed countries. The criteria for inclusion included being in English, published after 1980 and in countries with similar guidelines to the American Association of Birth Centers Standards. The only measure used was neonatal mortality and results did not find any difference between using a birth center as opposed to a traditional hospital setting. The literature was not found to have many good quality studies, and further research is recommended.
AHRQ-funded; HS024733.
Citation: Phillippi JC, Danhausen K, Alliman J .
Neonatal outcomes in the birth center setting: a systematic review.
J Midwifery Womens Health 2018 Jan;63(1):68-89. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.12701..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Labor and Delivery, Mortality, Newborns/Infants, Outcomes, Pregnancy, Women
Bommarito KM, Gross GA, Willers DM
The effect of clinical chorioamnionitis on cesarean delivery in the United States.
This study examined the association of clinical chorioamnionitis on cesarean delivery in a national sample of hospital discharges. It found that women with clinical chorioamnionitis were more likely to have cesarean delivery than those without clinical chorioamnionitis. The risk of cesarean delivery varied significantly by hospital location, teaching status, and U.S. region.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Bommarito KM, Gross GA, Willers DM .
The effect of clinical chorioamnionitis on cesarean delivery in the United States.
Health Serv Res 2016 Oct;51(5):1879-95. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12447.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Risk, Women
Cheng ER, Park H, Wisk LE
Examining the link between women's exposure to stressful life events prior to conception and infant and toddler health: the role of birth weight.
The authors suggested a pathway may exist among maternal exposure to stressful life events prior to conception (PSLEs), infant birth weight, and subsequent offspring health. Infant and toddler health outcomes were assessed at 9 and 24 months, including overall health status, special healthcare needs, and severe health conditions. The analysis suggested a chains-of-risk model in which women's exposure to PSLEs increased the risk for giving birth to a very low birth weight infant, adversely affecting infant and toddler health.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063; HS00083.
Citation: Cheng ER, Park H, Wisk LE .
Examining the link between women's exposure to stressful life events prior to conception and infant and toddler health: the role of birth weight.
J Epidemiol Community Health 2016 Mar;70(3):245-52. doi: 10.1136/jech-2015-205848.
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Keywords: Maternal Care, Women, Labor and Delivery, Newborns/Infants, Newborns/Infants
Dublin S, Johnson KE, Walker RL
Trends in elective labor induction for six United States health plans, 2001-2007.
The authors sought to describe trends in labor induction, including elective induction, from 2001 to 2007 for six U.S. health plans and to examine the validity of induction measures derived from birth certificate and health plan data. They found that induction prevalence rose from 28% in 2001 to 32% in 2005, then declined to 29% in 2007, with the trend being similar for subgroups by parity and gestational age. Elective induction prevalence varied considerably across plans.
AHRQ-funded; HS016955.
Citation: Dublin S, Johnson KE, Walker RL .
Trends in elective labor induction for six United States health plans, 2001-2007.
J Womens Health 2014 Nov;23(11):904-11. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2014.4779.
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Keywords: Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs), Health Insurance, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women
Darney BG, Caughey AB
Elective induction of labor symposium: nomenclature, research methodological issues, and outcomes.
This article focuses on key method issues in studies of elective induction of labor. The authors first identify methodological concerns with the existing literature and discuss each in return. They then review existing evidence about the relationship between elective induction and cesarean delivery.
AHRQ-funded; HS017582
Citation: Darney BG, Caughey AB .
Elective induction of labor symposium: nomenclature, research methodological issues, and outcomes.
Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jun;57(2):343-62. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000029..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Outcomes, Labor and Delivery, Women
Hendrich A, McCoy CK, Gale J
Ascension health's demonstration of full disclosure protocol for unexpected events during labor and delivery shows promise.
This article presents a case study concerning challenges, including physician resistance, to the establishment of a common full disclosure protocol at five labor and delivery demonstration sites. Twenty-seven months after implementation, the rate of full disclosure had increased by 221 percent. Practitioners saw a number of factors as key catalysts for change including consistent and ongoing leadership by local practitioners and hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS019608.
Citation: Hendrich A, McCoy CK, Gale J .
Ascension health's demonstration of full disclosure protocol for unexpected events during labor and delivery shows promise.
Health Aff 2014 Jan;33(1):39-45. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2013.1009..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Labor and Delivery, Medical Errors, Medical Liability, Policy, Pregnancy, Women