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Research Studies is a monthly compilation of research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers and recently published in journals or newsletters.

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1 to 8 of 8 Research Studies Displayed
Wilson BL, Butler RJ
Identifying optimal labor and delivery nurse staffing: the case of cesarean births and nursing hours.
Numerous studies have identified a relationship between nurse staffing and adverse patient outcomes in medical / surgical patient populations. However, little is known about the impact of labor and delivery (L&D) nurse staffing and adverse birth outcomes, such as unintended cesarean delivery, in low-risk term-gestation women. In this study the investigators examined nurse staffing patterns on the likelihood of cesarean sections (C-sections) among low- risk, full gestation births and provided a testing framework to distinguish optimal from ineffective levels of nurse staffing.
AHRQ-funded; HS024607.
Citation: Wilson BL, Butler RJ . Identifying optimal labor and delivery nurse staffing: the case of cesarean births and nursing hours. Nurs Outlook 2021 Jan-Feb;69(1):84-95. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2020.07.003..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Provider: Nurse, Provider, Workforce, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Quality of Care, Risk, Women
Herrick HM, Lorch S, Hsu JY
Impact of flow disruptions in the delivery room.
The goal of this study was to identify the impact of flow disruptions during neonatal resuscitation and to determine their association with key process and outcome measures. Delivery-room resuscitations of neonates less 32 weeks gestational age were video recorded for observation. Results showed that flow disruptions occurred frequently during neonatal resuscitation and recommendations included measuring flow disruptions as a feasible method to assess the impact of human factors in the delivery room and to identify modifiable factors and practices to improve patient care.
AHRQ-funded; HS023538; HS026491; HS026625; HS023806.
Citation: Herrick HM, Lorch S, Hsu JY . Impact of flow disruptions in the delivery room. Resuscitation 2020 May;150:29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2020.02.037.
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View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Workflow, Labor and Delivery, Newborns/Infants, Patient Safety, Healthcare Delivery, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Lundsberg LS, Main EK, Lee HC
Low-interventional approaches to intrapartum care: hospital variation in practice and associated factors.
This study compared hospitals in California with low and high-interventional practices for labor and delivery. A total of 185 California hospitals completed a survey of intrapartum care, including questions on low- versus high-interventional practices. They identified 2 distinct groups of hospitals that tended to use low- or high-interventional practices. Hospitals that used low-interventional practices tended to have midwife-led or physician-midwife collaborative labor management or were in rural locations. High-interventional practice hospitals had a higher proportion of women covered by Medicaid or other safety-net programs as well as hospitals located in counties with higher liability insurance premiums. Both sets of hospitals had comparable morbidity rates but low-intervention hospitals had lower rates of cesarean birth and episiotomies. Only one-quarter of hospitals were found to use low-interventional practices.
AHRQ-funded; HS023801.
Citation: Lundsberg LS, Main EK, Lee HC . Low-interventional approaches to intrapartum care: hospital variation in practice and associated factors. J Midwifery Womens Health 2020 Jan;65(1):33-44. doi: 10.1111/jmwh.13017..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women, Maternal Care, Hospitals, Quality of Care
Vanderlaan J, Rochat R, Williams B
Associations between hospital maternal service level and delivery outcomes.
This study explored the associations between delivery hospital self-reported level of maternal service, as defined by the American Hospital Association, and both maternal and neonatal outcomes among women at high maternal risk, as defined by the Obstetric Comorbidity Index. The investigators concluded that for the group of pregnant women in need of maternal transfer, delivery hospital self-reported level of maternal care was not associated with the odds of poor maternal or neonatal outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024655.
Citation: Vanderlaan J, Rochat R, Williams B . Associations between hospital maternal service level and delivery outcomes. Womens Health Issues 2019 May - Jun;29(3):252-58. doi: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.02.004..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Maternal Care, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women, Outcomes, Hospitals, Quality of Care, Newborns/Infants, Mortality
Milla C, Guo M, Chang A
Patient perspectives in comparing hospitals for childbirth: insights from Hawai'i.
Childbirth is a national priority area for healthcare quality improvement. Patient perspectives are increasingly valued in healthcare, yet Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) perspectives of healthcare quality are often understudied, particularly from individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). In this study, the goal was to understand factors that consumers in Hawai'i, including AAPI and those with LEP, used to compare patient care in hospitals, especially for childbirth.
AHRQ-funded; HS021903.
Citation: Milla C, Guo M, Chang A . Patient perspectives in comparing hospitals for childbirth: insights from Hawai'i. Hawaii J Med Public Health 2019 Mar;78(3):89-97..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Hospitals, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Cultural Competence, Women
McArdle J, Sorensen A, Fowler CI
Strategies to improve management of shoulder dystocia under the AHRQ Safety Program for Perinatal Care.
The purpose of this study using TeamSTEPPS was to assess the implementation of safety strategies to improve management of births complicated by shoulder dystocia in labor and delivery units. Results suggested that successful management of shoulder dystocia requires a rapid, standardized, and coordinated response. The Safety Program for Perinatal Care strategies to increase safety of shoulder dystocia management are scalable, replicable, and adaptable to unit needs and circumstances.
AHRQ-funded; 2902010000241.
Citation: McArdle J, Sorensen A, Fowler CI . Strategies to improve management of shoulder dystocia under the AHRQ Safety Program for Perinatal Care. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2018 Mar;47(2):191-201. doi: 10.1016/j.jogn.2017.11.014.
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View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Newborns/Infants, Pregnancy, Adverse Events, TeamSTEPPS, Injuries and Wounds, Care Management, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Training, Tools & Toolkits, Patient Safety, Nursing, Communication, Quality of Care
Burstein PD, Zalenski DM, Edwards JL
Changing labor and delivery practice: focus on achieving practice and documentation standardization with the goal of improving neonatal outcomes.
The researchers established a multifactorial shoulder dystocia response and management protocol to promote sustainable practice change. In the first year, there was a threefold increase in shoulder dystocia reporting, which continued in years 2 and 3. In the first year, 96 percent of clinicians completed all training elements. Overall teams reached a 99 percent adoption rate of the shoulder dystocia protocol.
AHRQ-funded; HS019608.
Citation: Burstein PD, Zalenski DM, Edwards JL . Changing labor and delivery practice: focus on achieving practice and documentation standardization with the goal of improving neonatal outcomes. Health Serv Res 2016 Dec;51 Suppl 3:2472-86. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12589.
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View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Newborns/Infants, Adverse Events, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient Safety, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Pregnancy, Teams
Srinivas SK, Fager C, Lorch SA
Variations in postdelivery infection and thrombosis by hospital teaching status.
The researchers examined hospital-level variation overall and by teaching status in 2 maternal outcomes, postpartum infections, and thrombosis. They found substantial variation in infection and thrombosis rates among hospitals both overall and by teaching status, suggesting that these 2 outcomes may be useful measures of inpatient obstetric quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS015696.
Citation: Srinivas SK, Fager C, Lorch SA . Variations in postdelivery infection and thrombosis by hospital teaching status. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2013 Dec;209(6):567.e1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2013.08.002..
View abstract on the National Library of Medicine site.
Keywords: Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, Outcomes, Quality of Care

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