The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospitalist: Risk Management Implications

Abstract

The concept of a 24/7 in-house obstetrician, serving as an obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn) hospitalist, provides a safety-net for obstetric and gynecologic events that may need immediate intervention for a successful outcome. The addition of an Ob/Gyn hospitalist role in the perinatal department mitigates loss prevention, a key precept of risk management. Inherent in the role of the Ob/Gyn hospitalist are the important patient safety and risk management principles of layers of back-up, enhanced teamwork and communications, and immediate availability.

Keywords: In-house obstetrician; Laborist; OB hospitalist; OB/Gyn hospitalist; Obstetric emergencies; Perinatal safety-net; Risk management.