Preliminary Evidence Supporting a Novel 10-Item Clinical Learning Environment Quick Survey (CLEQS).

BACKGROUND: The clinical learning environment (CLE) is a priority focus in medical education. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Clinical Learning Environment Review's (CLER) recent addition of teaming and health care systems obligates educators to monitor these areas. Tools to evaluate the CLE would ideally be: (1) appropriate for all health care team members on a specific unit/project; (2) informed by contemporary learning environment frameworks; and (3) feasible/quick to complete. No existing CLE evaluation tool meets these criteria. OBJECTIVE: This report describes the creation and preliminary validity evidence for a Clinical Learning Environment Quick Survey (CLEQS). METHODS: Survey items were identified from the literature and other data sources, sorted into 1 of 4 learning environment domains (personal, social, organizational, material) and reviewed by multiple stakeholders and experts. Leaders from 6 interprofessional graduate medical education quality improvement/patient safety teams distributed this voluntary survey to their clinical team members (November 2019-mid-January 2021) using electronic or paper formats. Validity evidence for this instrument was based on the content, response process, internal structure, reliability, relations to other variables, and consequences. RESULTS: Two hundred one CLEQS responses were obtained, taking 1.5 minutes on average to complete with good reliability (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.83). The Cronbach alpha for each CE domain with the overall item ranged from 0.50 for personal to 0.79 for social. There were strong associations with other measures and clarity about improvement targets. CONCLUSIONS: CLEQS meets the 3 criteria for evaluating CLEs. Reliability data supports its internal consistency, and initial validity evidence is promising.

Management of the third stage of labor in second-trimester deliveries: How long is too long?

BACKGROUND: Retained placenta is the most common second-trimester delivery complication. As the optimal third stage of labor duration remains undefined, complications associated with retained placentas are difficult to study. OBJECTIVE(S): To determine the optimal third stage of labor duration in second-trimester deliveries based on estimates of time-specific probabilities of placental delivery, placental intervention, and postpartum complication. STUDY DESIGN: We retrospectively studied adult women with singleton second-trimester vaginal deliveries. We identified third stage of labor duration, placental delivery method (spontaneous vs. manual/operative intervention), and indication for intervention. Postpartum complication was examined as a composite outcome. Differences among groups defined by delivery method and postpartum complication were tested using parametric and nonparametric tests. Probability curves describing the time-specific probabilities of placental delivery were derived using lifetable methods with group differences tested using the log-rank test. Probability of placental intervention and complication by time to placental delivery were examined using logistic regression with adjustment for confounders and other predictors. RESULTS: We identified 215 second-trimester placental deliveries (77% spontaneous, 23% intervention). Overall, 27% experienced postpartum complication, primarily hemorrhage (91%). Complication rates differed significantly between spontaneous placental deliveries (16%) and interventions (61%, P < 0.01). Both placental intervention and postpartum complication were strongly associated with longer time to placental delivery. Spontaneous placental deliveries occurred earlier than deliveries requiring intervention (P < 0.01). At 2 h, placental delivery rates were 93% in spontaneous deliveries and 39% in those requiring intervention. The overall postpartum complication rate for spontaneous placental deliveries (16%) was used as the threshold of tolerable risk and the criterion for placental intervention. Adjusted probability curves for deliveries of average gestational age (21.6 weeks) suggested that most patients (63.9%) may not require intervention until approximately 2 h following fetal delivery. Patients with PPROM would require intervention by 34 min, and those with intrapartum fever or delivery EBL ≥500 mL would already exceed the risk threshold at fetal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that an optimal third stage of labor duration of approximately 2 h maximizes probability of spontaneous delivery and minimizes complication risk. Timing of intervention may be further individualized for patients based on maternal characteristics and intrapartum conditions.

Foley catheter placement for induction of labor with or without stylette: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Foley catheters are used for cervical ripening during induction of labor. Previous studies suggest that use of a stylette (a thin, rigid wire) to guide catheter insertion decreases insertion failure. However, stylette effects on insertion outcomes have been sparsely studied. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare catheter insertion times, patient-assessed pain levels, and insertion failure rates between women who received a digitally placed Foley catheter for cervical ripening with the aid of a stylette and women who received the catheter without a stylette. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a randomized clinical trial of women aged ≥ 18 years who presented for induction of labor. Inclusion criteria were singletons with intact membranes and cephalic presentation. Women received a computer-generated random assignment of a Foley catheter insertion with a stylette (treatment group, n = 62) or without a stylette (control group, n = 61). For all women, a standard insertion technique protocol was used. Three primary outcomes were of interest, including the following: (1) insertion time (total minutes to successful catheter placement), (2) patient-assessed pain level (0-10), and (3) failure rate of the randomly assigned insertion method. Treatment control differences were first examined using the Pearson's test of independence and the Student t test. Per outcome, we also constructed 4 regression models, each including the random effect of physician and fixed effects of stylette use with patient nulliparity, a history of vaginal delivery, cervical dilation at presentation, or postgraduate year of the performing resident physician. RESULTS: Women who received the Foley catheter with the stylette vs without the stylette did not differ by age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, or any of several other characteristics. Regression models revealed that insertion time, patient pain, and insertion failure were unrelated to stylette use, nulliparity, and history of vaginal delivery. However, overall insertion time and failure were significantly influenced by cervical dilation, with insertion time decreasing by 21% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5-34%) and odds of failure decreasing by 71% (odds ratio, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10-0.86) per 1 cm dilation. Resident postgraduate year also significantly influenced insertion time, with greater time required of physicians with less experience. Mean insertion time was 51% (95% CI, 23-69%) shorter for fourth-year than second-year residents. Statistically nonsignificant but prominent patterns in outcomes were also observed, suggesting stylette use may lengthen the overall insertion procedure but minimize variability in pain levels and decrease insertion failure. CONCLUSIONS: The randomized trial suggests that, even after accounting for nulliparity, history of vaginal delivery, cervical dilation, and physician experience, Foley catheter insertions with and without a stylette are equivalent in insertion times, patient pain levels, and failure of catheter placement.