Critical Care Obstetrics and Gynecology

A Strategy for Addressing Material Mortality in Obstetrics

The growth in maternal morbidity and death in the United States is partly due to an obstetrical population that is becoming increasingly medically complex. Approximately 1% to 3% of all obstetrical patients require intensive care, making timely delivery and critical care availability crucial. The changing environment of obstetrical acuity puts a strain on obstetricians, many of whom have little expertise recognising and dealing to critical disease. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine have developed levels of maternal care that categorise hospitals depending on the availability of obstetrical services and emphasise the necessity for critical care resources and competence. In today's changing obstetrical scenario, the increased demand for critical care capabilities presents an opportunity

Tim David