International journal of obstetric anesthesia
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Aug 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudyBlood transfusion in patients having caesarean section: a prospective multicentre observational study of practice in three Pakistan hospitals.
Increasing awareness of the risks of blood transfusion has prompted examination of red cell transfusion practice in obstetrics. A six-month prospective observational study was performed to examine blood transfusion practices in patients undergoing caesarean delivery at three hospitals in Pakistan. ⋯ Blood transfusion was prescribed more readily in the public hospital. Identification of a transfusion trigger and the development of institutional guidelines to reduce unnecessary transfusion are required.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudySatisfaction, control and pain relief: short- and long-term assessments in a randomised controlled trial of low-dose and traditional epidurals and a non-epidural comparison group.
Childbirth is an important life event for which a positive experience is important to many women. ⋯ Whilst satisfaction with the experience of childbirth appears intimately related to the attainment of a spontaneous delivery, mobile epidurals enhance women's feeling of control in labour and are popular for future choice of regional analgesia.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2009
Multicenter StudyThe preparation and storage of anaesthetic drugs for obstetric emergencies: a survey of UK practice.
Traditionally anaesthetic drugs for obstetrics are prepared as a contingency and stored until they are required for emergency use or have expired. Expiry is based on presumed reduction in sterility and efficacy although evidence for this is inconsistent. Preparation in advance introduces the risk of error and potential for tampering by a third party. Discarding and re-preparing drugs daily represents significant wastage with associated cost implications. We predicted that practice of drug preparation would differ widely across the UK, so conducted a national survey. ⋯ The majority of UK obstetric units routinely draw up emergency drugs every 24h. With conflicting evidence regarding sterility and efficacy this represents tremendous wastage and potential for drug error and tampering. We propose that nationwide introduction of commercially- and pharmacy-prepared drugs with long shelf lives would improve safety and cost effectiveness.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jul 2009
Multicenter StudyA national survey of obstetric early warning systems in the United Kingdom.
Despite recommendations in the two most recent Confidential Enquiries into Maternal and Child Health (CEMACH) reports, and improvements in patient care using early warning scoring systems (EWS) in the general adult population, no validated system currently exists for the obstetric population. ⋯ The survey results support CEMACH recommendations for a nationally agreed obstetric EWS.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Jan 2009
Multicenter StudyThe impact of a teaching program on obstetric anesthesia practices in Croatia.
Many countries fail to use regional techniques for either labor analgesia or obstetric anesthesia. Kybele, an international outreach group, seeks to improve obstetric anesthesia practices worldwide. Its educational program in Croatia was evaluated by studying the change in use of regional anesthetic techniques in obstetrics after a Kybele visit. ⋯ In Croatia, a two-week educational program in obstetric anesthesia increased the use of regional anesthesia and analgesia for labor and delivery in the year that followed the program. Multiple factors limit availability of analgesia for childbirth in Croatia.