Effects of an in situ instructional design based postpartum hemorrhage simulation training on patient outcomes: an uncontrolled before-and-after study.

Objective: To compare postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) patient outcomes before and after an in situ instructional design based PPH simulation attended by obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) residents.Methods: This uncontrolled before-and-after study was conducted in Recife, Brazil including all 1388 women delivering from June to August 2012 and all 1357 delivering from June to August 2013. The 36 OBGYN residents were divided into13 teams of two or three participants and were trained through ID based PPH simulation training with the following eight steps: (1) prior knowledge activation, (2) video demonstration, (3) dual-coding PPH protocol discussion-an image association during the training, (4) training scenario # 1, (5) debriefing, (6) training scenario # 2 with immediate feedback, (7) training scenario # 3, and (8) debriefing with self-assessment. The training scenarios had an increasing level of complexity. The main goal of the training was the adequate management of PPH and situational awareness improvement-the ability to anticipate, recognize, and intercept unfolding error chains. The primary patient outcomes rates used for the before and after comparison were therapeutic uterotonics use within 24 h of birth and blood transfusion. Secondary outcomes were therapeutic oxytocin mean dosage IU within 24 h of birth, postpartum Hb < 6 g/dL, among others. Chi-square test was used for categorical variables comparison and independent t-test for continuous variables.Results: PPH rates were 100 (7.2% of 2012 deliveries) and 80 cases (5.9% of 2013 deliveries), respectively. Comparison of primary post- and pre-simulation outcomes revealed no significant differences. However, in the comparison for therapeutic oxytocin mean dosage IU within 24 h of birth, there was an increase found after the simulation (15.98 ± 7.4 versus 25.1 ± 12.3; p < .001). For all other outcome measures, there were no statistical differences.Conclusions: In situ ID based PPH simulation leads to an increase in the mean dosage of oxytocin after training, in selected cases. This may indicate better situational awareness when managing women with PPH.

Self-perceived long-term transfer of learning after postpartum hemorrhage simulation training.

OBJECTIVE: To explore long-term transfer (application of acquired knowledge and skills on the job) after postpartum hemorrhage simulation training based on either instructional design (ID) principles or conventional best practice. METHODS: In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews with obstetrics and gynecology healthcare practitioners were conducted between August 7 and September 26, 2015, in Recife, Brazil. The participants were randomly selected from each of two postpartum hemorrhage simulations attended 2 years earlier (one ID and one conventional best practice). Thematic analysis was used to explore (1) residents' perceptions of long-term transfer of learning, (2) ID elements influencing the perceived long-term transfer, and (3) differences in the participants' perceptions according to the type of simulation attended. RESULTS: There were 12 interview participants. After either simulation format, residents perceived long-term transfer effects. Training design factors influencing transfer were, in their opinion, related to trainees' characteristics, simulation design, and workplace environment. Trainees who participated in the ID-based simulation perceived better communication skills and better overall situational awareness: "I didn't do that before." CONCLUSION: All residents perceived long-term transfer after simulation training for postpartum hemorrhage. Those who attended the ID format additionally perceived improvements in communication skills and situational awareness, which are fundamental factors in the management of postpartum hemorrhage.

[Amniotic fluid volume and maternal outcomes in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes]. / Volume de líquido amniótico e os desfechos maternos em gestantes com ruptura prematura das membranas pré-termo.

PURPOSE: To describe the potential influence of amniotic fluid on the maternal outcome of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM). METHODS: An observational, retrospective cohort study was conducted between December 2012 and January 2008 on 86 pregnant women with preterm PROM and a gestational age (GA) of 24 to 35 weeks. The amniotic fluid index (AFI) was used to measure aminiotic fluid volume. Pregnant women were compared at two cut-off points: those with AFI <5.0 and ≥5.0 cm and AFI <3.0 and ≥3.0 cm. We excluded women with hypertensive disorders, diabetes mellitus, fetal malformations and a diagnosis of infections at admission. For statistical analysis, we used the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate, and simple linear regression analysis, with the level of significance set at 5%. We calculated the Risk Ratio (RR) and its 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: When maternal outcomes were assessed by comparing ILA ≥5.0 versus <5.0 cm, no significant differences were detected. However, when considering ILA <3.0 and ≥3.0 cm, there was an increased risk of chorioamnionitis (36.7 versus10.7%, RR: 3.4, 95%CI 1.4 -8.3, p=0.004), with no significant differences for the other variables. There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between AFI and gestational age at delivery (R2=0.78, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: AFI <3.0 cm causes a three-fold increase in the risk for chorioamnionitis; also, the higher the ILA, the higher the gestational age at delivery.

Uterine artery Doppler in the third trimester of pregnancy and postnatal outcome of patients with severe preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: To assess uterine artery Doppler velocimetry performed in the third trimester of pregnancy in women with severe preeclampsia as a predictor of adverse postpartum outcome. METHODS: A cohort study including 154 women, conducted in a teaching hospital in Recife, Brazil. Uterine artery Doppler was performed at admission to hospital and postpartum outcome was evaluated. RESULTS: High-resistance uterine artery Doppler was predictive of prolonged hospitalization and of being discharged from hospital under antihypertensive medication. No other correlation with maternal complications was found. CONCLUSION: High-resistance uterine artery Doppler in the third trimester of pregnancy is able to predict adverse postpartum outcome.