Effects of hospital delivery during off-hours on perinatal outcome in several subgroups: a retrospective cohort study

A model to predict delivery time following induction of labor at term with a dinoprostone vaginal insert: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Dinoprostone vaginal insert is the most common pharmacological method for induction of labor (IOL); however, studies on assessing the time to vaginal delivery (DT) following dinoprostone administration are limited.

AIMS

We sought to identify the primary factors influencing DT in women from central China, at or beyond term, who underwent IOL with dinoprostone vaginal inserts.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the data of 1562 women at 37 weeks 0 days to 41 weeks 6 days of gestation who underwent dinoprostone-induced labor between January 1st, 2019, and December 31st, 2021. The outcomes of interest were vaginal or cesarean delivery and factors influencing DT, including maternal complications and neonatal characteristics.

RESULTS

Among the enrolled women, 71% (1109/1562) delivered vaginally, with median DT of 740.50 min (interquartile range 443.25 to 1264.50 min). Of the remaining 29% (453/1562), who delivered by cesarean section, 11.9% (54/453) were multiparous. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that multiparity, advanced maternal age, fetal macrosomia, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and daytime insertion of dinoprostone were the factors that significantly influenced DT. Time to vaginal delivery increased with advanced maternal age and fetal macrosomia and decreased with multiparity, PROM, and daytime insertion of dinoprostone. A mathematical model was developed to integrate these factors for predicting DT: Y = 804.478 - 125.284 × multiparity + 765.637 × advanced maternal age + 411.511 × fetal macrosomia-593.358 × daytime insertion of dinoprostone - 125.284 × PROM.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings may help obstetricians estimate the DT before placing a dinoprostone insert, which may improve patient management in busy maternity wards and minimize potential risks.

The Effect of "Off Hours" on Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in a Diverse U.S. Cohort

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the "off-hour effect" on maternal and neonatal adverse events in a large cohort representing U.S.

POPULATION

STUDY DESIGN

A secondary analysis of the Consortium on Safe Labor (CSL) dataset with 208,695 women and 229,385 deliveries was performed. The study included the deliveries of ≥23 gestational weeks from 19 hospitals in the United States from 2002 to 2008. Babies with congenital anomalies were excluded from neonatal outcomes. We compared maternal and neonatal outcomes of patients delivered during weekdays versus off hours (nights and weekends). The primary outcomes of the study were composite maternal and composite neonatal adverse events. The secondary outcomes were delivery type and individual maternal and neonatal adverse events including maternal death and perinatal mortality rate. Associations between off hours and all the outcomes were analyzed in bivariable and multivariable analyses. The same analyses were performed in strata by indication for admission (spontaneous labor or induction of labor).

RESULTS

Composite maternal adverse events (6.19 vs. 6.06%, p = 0.41) and maternal death (0.01 vs. 0.01%, p = 0.19) were not significantly different between off hours and weekday groups. In contrast, composite neonatal adverse events (6.91 vs. 5.84%, p < 0.001) and perinatal mortality rate (1.03 vs. 0.77%, p < 0.001) were higher in the off-hour group. After adjusting for confounding variables, only the composite neonatal outcome continued to be associated with off hours (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.16). Stratified analyses showed that the off-hour effect for the neonatal composite outcome was not present in those presenting in spontaneous labor (6.1 vs. 5.9%, p = 0.40).

CONCLUSION

Off-hour delivery was not associated with severe maternal morbidity and was only modestly associated with severe neonatal morbidity. This association was observed in women undergoing induction, not in those presenting in spontaneous labor. These data draw into question the existence of a clinically meaningful and correctable "off-hour effect" in obstetrics.

KEY POINTS

· The presence of a significant off-hour effect in obstetrics is still questionable.. · If the off-hour effect exists, it seems that not to be related with staffing issues.. · There is not a big difference for adverse events at off hours in spontaneously laboring patients..

The natural pattern of birth timing and gestational age in the U.S. compared to England, and the Netherlands

OBJECTIVE

To examine cross-national differences in gestational age over time in the U.S. and across three wealthy countries in 2020 as well as examine patterns of birth timing by hour of the day in home and spontaneous vaginal hospital births in the three countries.

METHODS

We did a comparative cohort analysis with data on gestational age and the timing of birth from the United States, England and the Netherlands, comparing hospital and home births. For overall gestational age comparisons, we drew on national birth cohorts from the U.S. (1990, 2014 & 2020), the Netherlands (2014 & 2020) and England (2020). Birth timing data was drawn from national data from the U.S. (2014 & 2020), the Netherlands (2014) and from a large representative sample from England (2008-10). We compared timing of births by hour of the day in hospital and home births in all three countries.

RESULTS

The U.S. overall mean gestational age distribution, based on last menstrual period, decreased by more than half a week between 1990 (39.1 weeks) and 2020 (38.5 weeks). The 2020 U.S. gestational age distribution (76% births prior to 40 weeks) was distinct from England (60%) and the Netherlands (56%). The gestational age distribution and timing of home births was comparable in the three countries. Home births peaked in early morning between 2:00 am and 5:00 am. In England and the Netherlands, hospital spontaneous vaginal births showed a generally similar timing pattern to home births. In the U.S., the pattern was reversed with a prolonged peak of spontaneous vaginal hospital births between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest organizational priorities can potentially disturb natural patterns of gestation and birth timing with a potential to improve U.S. perinatal outcomes with organizational models that more closely resemble those of England and the Netherlands.

Weekend delivery and maternal-neonatal adverse outcomes in low-risk pregnancies in the United States: A population-based analysis of 3-million live births

BACKGROUND

Childbirth is the most common cause of hospital admission in the United States. Previous studies have shown that there might be a "weekend effect" in perinatal care, indicating that mothers and newborns whose deliveries occur during the weekends are at increased risk of having adverse outcomes. This study aims to isolate the association between the weekend delivery and maternal-neonatal adverse outcomes by investigating low-risk pregnancies in nationwide data.

METHODS

A population-based study of all low-risk pregnancies (in-hospital, nonanomalous, term, normal birthweight, and singleton) was conducted based on US national natality data in 2017. Four maternal outcomes (ICU admission, uterine rupture, blood transfusion, and perineal laceration) and three neonatal outcomes (5-minute Apgar <7, NICU admission, and neonatal death) were defined as adverse outcomes. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association, adjusting for 23 maternal and neonatal characteristics and risk factors.

RESULTS

Among 3 011 577 low-risk pregnancies, 6.0% were reported to have at least one of the maternal-neonatal adverse outcomes. Weekend deliveries were significantly associated with six maternal-neonatal adverse outcomes with an exception of neonatal death. In general, weekend deliveries were 1.13 times significantly as likely to have any of seven maternal-neonatal adverse outcomes than weekday deliveries (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.11-1.14), being attributed to adverse outcomes of more than 4500 mother-newborn pairs.

CONCLUSIONS

Weekend delivery is a consistent risk factor for both mothers and babies at the national level. Furthermore, studies are needed about possible modifiable factors that mediate these associations to ensure safe childbirth regardless of the day of delivery.

Time at birth and short-term outcomes among extremely preterm infants in Spain: a multicenter cohort study

The first hours after birth entail a window of opportunity to decrease morbidity and mortality among extremely preterm infants. The availability of staff and its tiredness vary depending on the timing and day of the week. We hypothesized that these circumstances may impact neonatal outcomes. We have conducted a multicenter cohort study with data obtained from the Spanish neonatal network database SEN1500, where staff doctors are in the house 24/7. The main study exposure was the time of birth; secondary exposures were cumulative work hours from the medical and nurses' shifts and day of the week. The primary outcome was survival to hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included common preterm infants' in-hospital complications. Univariate and multivariate analysis adjusting for potential confounders was performed. All extremely preterm infants (N = 8798) born between 2011 and 2019 were eligible; 35.7% of them were admitted during the night shift. No differences were found between day and night births regarding survival or morbidity. No differences were found between weekdays and weekends or when considering cumulative worked hours in the shifts. Infants born during the night shift were more likely to be intubated at birth (OR 1.20, CI95% 1.06-1.37), receive surfactant (OR 1.24, CI95% 1.08-1.44), and having anemia requiring transfusion (OR 1.23, CI 95% 1.08-1.42).

CONCLUSION

the time of birth did not seem to affect mortality and morbidity of extremely preterm infants.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• The first hours after birth in extremely preterm infants are a very valuable opportunity to decrease mortality and morbidity. • Time and day of birth have long been linked to outcomes in preterm infants, with night shifts and weekends classically having higher rates of mortality and morbidity.

WHAT IS NEW

• In this study, no differences were found between day and night births regarding survival or major morbidity. • Infants born during the night shift were more likely to be intubated at birth, receive surfactant and having anemia requiring transfusion.

Change in timing of induction protocol in nulliparous women to optimise timing of birth: results from a single centre study

BACKGROUND

Induction of labour (IOL) is a common obstetric intervention. When planning IOL, especially in women at risk for complications at delivery, the aim should be for delivery to occur when senior staff are available to optimise safe care.

METHODS

A change in timing of IOL protocol at our institution was introduced in November 2018 aiming to increase births occurring "in-hours" defined as 08:00 to 20:00 h. This retrospective cohort study compares the odds of "in-hours" birth before and after the intervention and the association on birth outcomes. The study compared outcomes during the new IOL pathway period to a historical birth cohort from January to December 2017. Inclusion criteria were nulliparous women undergoing planned IOL at term with a cephalic singleton pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to compare odds of in-hours birth for the 2 periods with adjustment for maternal age at delivery, gestation, more than 2 cervical ripening agents required, undergoing IOL for post-dates pregnancy, mode of birth, whether or not IOL proceeded according to planned protocol and missing values using multiple imputation.

RESULTS

The rate of deliveries occurring in-hours were higher following the intervention; n = 118/285 (45.6%) pre-intervention versus n = 251/470 (53.4%) post-intervention; adjusted OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.07-2.01, p = 0.02). The percentage of caesarean sections (CS) occurring in-hours was significantly lower in the pre-intervention group n = 71/153 (28.3%) compared with the post intervention group = 35/132(46.4%) (p < 0.001)). The rate of CS was higher in the pre intervention n = 132/285(46.3%) compared with the post intervention group n = 153/470 (32.4%)).

CONCLUSIONS

The change in induction procedures was associated with a significantly higher rate of births occurring in-hours and a lower rate of overall of CS. This policy change led to a better pattern of timing of birth for nulliparous women undergoing IOL.

Birth during on-call period: Impact of care organization on mortality and morbidity of very premature neonates

OBJECTIVES

The evidence that risks of morbidity and mortality are higher when very premature newborns are born during the on-call period is inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the impact of this situation among other determinants of outcomes, particularly newborn characteristics and care organization.

METHODS

Observational study including all infants born < 30 weeks' gestation in a French tertiary perinatal center between 2007 and 2020. On-call period corresponded to weekdays between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m., weekends, and public holidays. The primary endpoint was survival without severe morbidity, including grade 3-4 intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), cystic periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and severe retinopathy of prematurity. The relationship between admission and outcome was assessed by an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) on the propensity of being born during on-call period and expressed vs. weekday. Secondary analyses were carried out in extremely preterm newborns (<27 weeks' gestation), in cases of early death (within 7 days), and before (2007-2013, 51.5% of the cohort) vs. after (2014-2020, 48.5% of the cohort) the implementation of a pediatrician-nurse team dedicated to newborn care in the delivery room.

RESULTS

A total of 1,064 infants [27.9 (26.3; 28.9) weeks, 947 (760; 1,147) g] were included: 668 during the on-call period (63%) and 396 (37%) on weekdays. For infants born on weekdays, survival without severe morbidity was 54.5% and mortality 19.2%. During on-call, these rates were 57.3% [aOR 1.08 (0.84-1.40)] and 18.4% [aOR 0.93 (0.67-1.29)]. Comparable rates of survival without severe morbidity [aOR 1.42 (0.87-2.34)] or mortality [aOR 0.76 (0.47-1.22)] were observed in extremely preterm infants. The early death rate was 6.4% on weekdays vs. 8.2% during on-call [aOR 1.44 (0.84-2.48)]. Implementation of the dedicated team was associated with decreased rates of mortality [aOR 0.57 (0.38, 0.85)] and grade 3-4 IVH [aOR 0.48 (0.30, 0.75)], and an increased rate of severe BPD [aOR 2.16 (1.37, 3.41)], for infants born during on-call.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort, most births of very premature neonates occurred during the on-call period. A team dedicated to newborn care in the delivery room may have a favorable effect on the outcome of infants born in this situation.

Association of timing of birth with mortality among preterm infants born in Canada

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between time of birth and mortality among preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Population-based study of infants born 22-36 weeks gestation (GA) in Canada from 2010 to 2015 (n = 173 789). Multivariable logistic regression models assessed associations between timing of birth and mortality.

RESULT

Among infants 22-27 weeks GA, evening birth was associated with higher mortality than daytime birth (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29). Among infants 28-32 weeks GA and 33-36 weeks GA, night birth was associated with lower mortality than daytime birth (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.59-0.95; AOR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-0.99, respectively). Sensitivity analysis excluding infants with major congenital anomaly revealed that associations between hour of birth and mortality among infants born 28-32 and 33-36 weeks GA decreased or were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Higher mortality among extremely preterm infants during off-peak hours may suggest variations in available resources based on time of day.

Association between time of delivery and composite adverse outcomes in pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders

INTRODUCTION

A potential manner to lower the morbidity with the hypertensive disoreders of pregancy is to explore the time of day of delivery.

OBJECTIVE

To compare composite neonatal adverse outcomes among term women with hypertensive disorders.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study used the U.S. vital statistics dataset from 2013 to 2017. Time of delivery was categorized into three shifts. The primary outcome was composite neonatal adverse outcome..

RESULTS

Compared to neonates delivered at the first shift, the risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome was higher at the third shift (aRR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.13-1.25).

CONCLUSION

the risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome is higher if the delivery occurs at the third (23:00-7:00) shift.

Increasing specialist intensity at weekends to improve outcomes for patients undergoing emergency hospital admission: the HiSLAC two-phase mixed-methods study

Background

NHS England’s 7-day services policy comprised 10 standards to improve access to quality health care across all days of the week. Six standards targeted hospital specialists on the assumption that their absence caused the higher mortality associated with weekend hospital admission: the ‘weekend effect’. The High-intensity Specialist-Led Acute Care (HiSLAC) collaboration investigated this using the implementation of 7-day services as a ‘natural experiment’.

Objectives

The objectives were to determine whether or not increasing specialist intensity at weekends improves outcomes for patients undergoing emergency hospital admission, and to explore mechanisms and cost-effectiveness.

Design

This was a two-phase mixed-methods observational study. Year 1 focused on developing the methodology. Years 2–5 included longitudinal research using quantitative and qualitative methods, and health economics.

Methods

A Bayesian systematic literature review from 2000 to 2017 quantified the weekend effect. Specialist intensity measured over 5 years used self-reported annual point prevalence surveys of all specialists in English acute hospital trusts, expressed as the weekend-to-weekday ratio of specialist hours per 10 emergency admissions. Hospital Episode Statistics from 2007 to 2018 provided trends in weekend-to-weekday mortality ratios. Mechanisms for the weekend effect were explored qualitatively through focus groups and on-site observations by qualitative researchers, and a two-epoch case record review across 20 trusts. Case-mix differences were examined in a single trust. Health economics modelling estimated costs and outcomes associated with increased specialist provision.

Results

Of 141 acute trusts, 115 submitted data to the survey, and 20 contributed 4000 case records for review and participated in qualitative research (involving interviews, and observations using elements of an ethnographic approach). Emergency department attendances and admissions have increased every year, outstripping the increase in specialist numbers; numbers of beds and lengths of stay have decreased. The reduction in mortality has plateaued; the proportion of patients dying after discharge from hospital has increased. Specialist hours increased between 2012/13 and 2017/18. Weekend specialist intensity is half that of weekdays, but there is no relationship with admission mortality. Patients admitted on weekends are sicker (they have more comorbid disease and more of them require palliative care); adjustment for severity of acute illness annuls the weekend effect. In-hospital care processes are slightly more efficient at weekends; care quality (errors, adverse events, global quality) is as good at weekends as on weekdays and has improved with time. Qualitative researcher assessments of hospital weekend quality concurred with case record reviewers at trust level. General practitioner referrals at weekends are one-third of those during weekdays and have declined further with time.

Limitations

Observational research, variable survey response rates and subjective assessments of care quality were compensated for by using a difference-in-difference analysis over time.

Conclusions

Hospital care is improving. The weekend effect is associated with factors in the community that precede hospital admission. Post-discharge mortality is increasing. Policy-makers should focus their efforts on improving acute and emergency care on a ‘whole-system’ 7-day approach that integrates social, community and secondary health care.

Future work

Future work should evaluate the role of doctors in hospital and community emergency care and investigate pathways to emergency admission and quality of care following hospital discharge.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research programme and will be published in full in Health Services and Delivery Research; Vol. 9, No. 13. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Maternal childbirth experience and time of delivery: a retrospective 7-year cohort study of 105 847 parturients in Finland

OBJECTIVES

To explore how the time of delivery influences childbirth experience.

DESIGN

A retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Childbirth in the four Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District hospitals, Finland, from 2012 to 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

105 847 childbirths with a singleton live fetus.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Childbirth experience measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

RESULTS

The major difference in average childbirth experience measured by VAS was between primiparas (8.03; 95% CI 8.01 to 8.04) and multiparas (8.47; 95% CI 8.45 to 8.48). Risk ratio (RR) of the low VAS (≤5) was 2.3 when primiparas were compared with multiparas. Differences in VAS between distinct periods were found in two stages: annual and time of day. The decrease in VAS from 2012-2016 to 2017-2018 in primiparas was from 7.97 (95% CI 7.95 to 7.99) to 7.80 (95% CI 7.77 to 7.83) and from 2014-2016 to 2017-2018 in multiparas from 8.60 (95% CI 8.58 to 8.61) to 8.49 (95% CI 8.47 to 8.52). Corresponding RRs of low VAS were 1.3 for primiparas and 1.2 for multiparas. Hourly differences in VAS were detected in primiparas between office hours 08:00-15:59 (7.97; 95% CI 7.94 to 7.99) and other times (night 00:00-07:59; 7.91; 95% CI 7.88 to 7.94; and evening 16:00-23:59; 7.90; 95% CI 7.87 to 7.92). In multiparas differences in VAS were detected between evening (8.52; 95% CI 8.50 to 8.54) and other periods (night; 8.56; 95% CI 8.54 to 9.58; and office hours; 8.57; 95% CI 8.55 to 8.59).

CONCLUSION

The maternal childbirth experience depended on the time of delivery. Giving birth during the evening led to impaired childbirth experience in both primiparas and multiparas, compared with delivery at other times. The impact of labour induction on childbirth experience should be further examined. The reorganisation of delivery services and the reduction of birth preparations might affect annual VAS. VAS is a simple method of measuring the complex entity of childbirth experience, and our results indicate its ability to capture temporal variation.

Effect of off-hour versus work-hour thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke on emergency department patients' outcome: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

Early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke is crucial regardless of the time of presentation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of off-hours management of patients with ischemic stroke that underwent thrombolytic therapy in the emergency department.

METHODS

This is a single-center retrospective study included ischemic stroke patients who received thrombolysis in the emergency department from January 2009 to April 2017. Patients who presented between 08:00 and 17:00 Monday to Friday were in the 'work-hour group (group 1)' versus others who were considered 'off-hours (group 2)'. Primary endpoint was 3-month mortality. Secondary endpoints included the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale and dramatic recovery rate at 24 h, intracranial hemorrhage, systemic hemorrhage and modified Rankin Scale at the 3 months. Symptom-to-needle time, door-to-computed tomography time, and door-to-needle time were also compared between groups.

RESULTS

A total of 399 ischemic stroke patients were included in the analysis, 137 (34%) during work-hours and 262 (66%) during off-hours. The mortality rate was not different at 3 months between groups: 24 (17.5%) in the work-hours group versus 38 (14.5%) in the off-hours group [odds ratio 1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0. 72-2.19]. There were no differences between groups on secondary endpoints. The mean time of symptom-to-needle was significantly higher during off-hours (mean difference: 18.4 min; 95% CI, 7.81-29.0).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, there were no significant differences in mortality and functional outcomes at 3 months between patients who underwent off-hour or work-hour thrombolysis in the emergency department.

24 hour consultant obstetrician presence on the labour ward and intrapartum outcomes in a large unit in England: A time series analysis

Objectives

To explore the effect of introducing 24/7 resident labour ward consultant presence on neonatal and maternal outcomes in a large obstetric unit in England.

Design

Retrospective time sequence analysis of routinely collected data.

Setting

Obstetric unit of large teaching hospital in England.

Participants

Women and babies delivered between1 July 2011 and 30 June 2017. Births <24 weeks gestation or by planned caesarean section were excluded.

Main outcome measures

The primary composite outcome comprised intrapartum stillbirth, neonatal death, babies requiring therapeutic hypothermia, or admission to neonatal intensive care within three hours of birth. Secondary outcomes included markers of neonatal and maternal morbidity. Planned subgroup analyses investigated gestation (<34 weeks; 34–36 weeks; ≥37 weeks) and time of day.

Results

17324 babies delivered before and 16110 after 24/7 consultant presence. The prevalence of the primary outcome increased by 0.65%, from 2.07% (359/17324) before 24/7 consultant presence to 2.72% (438/16110, P < 0.001) after 24/7 consultant presence which was consistent with an upward trend over time already well established before 24/7 consultant presence began (OR 1.09 p.a.; CI 1.04 to 1.13). Overall, there was no change in this trend associated with the transition to 24/7. However, in babies born ≥37 weeks gestation, the upward trend was reversed after implementation of 24/7 (OR 0.67 p.a.; CI 0.49 to 0.93; P = 0.017). No substantial differences were shown in other outcomes or subgroups.

Conclusions

Overall, resident consultant obstetrician presence 24/7 on labour ward was not associated with a change in a pre-existing trend of increasing adverse infant outcomes. However, 24/7 presence was associated with a reversal in increasing adverse outcomes for term babies.

Association between time of delivery and composite adverse outcomes in pregnancies complicated by diabetes

OBJECTIVES

To compare the composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes among women with diabetes who labor and deliver at 37-41 weeks at distinct time shifts.

METHODS

This population-based retrospective cohort study using the US Vital Statistics dataset on Period Linked Birth-Infant Death Data from 2013-2017. The study population was restricted to non-anomalous singleton live births from women with pregestational or gestational diabetes, who labored and delivered at 37 0/7 to 41 6/7 weeks of gestation. The time of delivery was categorized as the first shift (7:00-15:00), the second shift (15:00-23:00), and the third shift (23:00-7:00). The primary outcome was a composite neonatal adverse outcome; the secondary outcome was a composite maternal adverse outcome. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between the time of delivery and adverse outcomes (using adjusted relative risk [aRR] and 95% CI).

RESULTS

Of 19.8 million live births during the study period, 3.3% (643,610) met the study inclusion criteria. The overall rate of composite neonatal and maternal adverse outcomes were 9.62 and 3.63 per 1000 live births, respectively. Multivariable adjusted regression analysis showed that, compared to newborns delivered at the first shift, the risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome was modestly but significantly higher (aRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.12-1.27) in the third shift (23:00-7:00). There was no significant difference in the risk of composite maternal adverse outcomes between time shifts. In the sensitivity analysis stratified by the day of the week (weekday vs weekend), the results were consistent with the primary analyses.

CONCLUSION

Among term pregnancies complicated by diabetes, compared with delivery at 7:00-15:00, the risk of a composite neonatal adverse outcome is marginally but significantly higher if delivery occurs at the third shift (23:00-7:00).

Influence of evening/night-time birth on maternal/perinatal outcomes in a low-risk population

Objective:

To compare maternal and perinatal outcomes between day-time and evening/night-time births in a low-risk population.

Material and Methods:

The present study had a retrospective and cross-sectional design. The study recruited 421 pregnant women admitted for spontaneous or induced labor, with singleton, full-term pregnancy, without comorbidities, and with birthweight between 2,500 and 4,499 g. Maternal data, including severe bleeding, need for blood transfusion, puerperal infection, and admission to the intensive care unit, and neonatal data including birthweight, Apgar scores at first and fifth minute, oxygen administration, resuscitation, admission to the neonatal care unit, infection, and blood transfusion, were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis and calculation of the prevalence ratio (PR) were performed with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

There were no differences in factors of maternal morbidity between delivery times. Newborns delivered during the evening/night-time had a higher prevalence of infection (15.3% vs 7.9%, p=0.019, PR: 2.11, CI 95% 1.13-3.93) and hospitalization in the neonatal care unit (25.8% vs 10.4%, p<0.001, PR: 2.99, CI 95% 1.76-5.10). There was no difference in other perinatal morbidities examined.

Conclusion:

Evening/night-time births were associated with a higher prevalence of infection and the need for admission to an intensive care unit.

Time of Birth and the Risk of Severe Unexpected Complications in Term Singleton Neonates

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether there is a relationship between evening, night, and weekend births and severe unexpected neonatal morbidity in low-risk term singleton births.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional analysis. Severe unexpected neonatal morbidity as defined by the National Quality Forum specification 0716 was derived from linked birth certificate and hospital discharge summaries for 1,048,957 low-risk singleton term Californian births during 2011 through 2013. The association between the nursing shift (7 am-3 pm vs 3-11 pm and 11 pm -7 am) and weekday compared with weekend birth and the risk of severe unexpected neonatal morbidity was estimated using mixed effects logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Severe unexpected neonatal morbidity was higher among births during the 3-11 pm evening shift (2.1%) and the 11 pm-7 am night shift (2.1%), compared with those during the 7 am-3 pm day shift (1.8%). The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were 1.10 (95% CI 1.06-1.13) for the evening shift and 1.15 (1.11-1.19) for the night shift. The adjusted ORs of severe unexpected neonatal morbidity were increased only on Sunday, as compared with other days (adjusted OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.14). When our analysis was by perinatal region, the increase was seen in four of the nine perinatal regions.

CONCLUSION

After risk adjustment, the risk of severe unexpected morbidity in the low-risk singleton California birth cohort was significantly increased on Sundays and births during evening and night shifts. These elevations were detected in only four of California's nine perinatal regions. Further analysis at the individual hospital level is warranted.

Weekend and off-hour effects on the incidence of cerebral palsy: contribution of consolidated perinatal care

Objective

This study estimated the effects of weekend and off-hour childbirth and the size of perinatal medical care center on the incidence of cerebral palsy.

Methods

The cases were all children with severe cerebral palsy born in Japan from 2009 to 2012 whose data were stored at the Japan Obstetric Compensation System for Cerebral Palsy database, a nationally representative database. The inclusion criteria were the following: neonates born between January 2009 and December 2012 who had a birth weight of at least 2000 g and gestational age of at least 33 weeks and who had severe disability resulting from cerebral palsy independent of congenital causes or factors during the neonatal period or thereafter. Study participants were restricted to singletons and controls without report of death, scheduled cesarean section, or ambulance transportation. The controls were newborns, randomly selected by year and type of delivery (normal spontaneous delivery without cesarean section and emergency cesarean section) using a 1:10 case to control ratio sampled from the nationwide Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology database.

Results

A total of 90 cerebral palsy cases and 900 controls having normal spontaneous delivery without cesarean section were selected, as were 92 cerebral palsy cases and 920 controls with emergent cesarean section. A significantly higher risk for cerebral palsy was found among cases that underwent emergent cesarean section on weekends (odds ratio [OR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–2.81) and during the night shift (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.30–4.02). No significant risk was found among normal spontaneous deliveries on weekends (OR 1.63, 95% CI 0.97–2.73) or during the quasi-night shift (OR 1.26, 95% CI 0.70–2.27). Regional perinatal care centers showed significantly higher risk for cerebral palsy in both emergent cesarean section (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.47–3.77) and normal spontaneous delivery (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.76–4.84).

Conclusion

Labor on weekends, during the night shift, and at regional perinatal medical care centers was associated with significantly elevated risk for cerebral palsy in emergency cesarean section.

Maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes of emergency repeat caesarean deliveries due to early-term spontaneous labour onset

BACKGROUND

The optimal timing of elective repeat caesarean delivery has yet to be determined. One of the reasons to schedule an elective repeat caesarean delivery before 39 weeks gestation is to avoid emergency caesarean delivery due to spontaneous onset of labour.

AIMS

By ascertaining maternal characteristics and neonatal outcomes associated with early-term onset of spontaneous labour, we aim to determine the optimal timing for each individual repeat caesarean delivery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of women with repeat caesarean deliveries planned at 38 weeks gestation between 2005 and 2019 at a tertiary referral hospital in Japan. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was adopted to identify independent contributing factors for early-term spontaneous labour onset. We also compared the rate of neonatal adverse events between women who underwent emergency repeat caesarean deliveries due to the onset of early-term labour and the ones who underwent elective repeat caesarean deliveries at 38 weeks.

RESULTS

We included 1152 women. History of vaginal deliveries (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 2.12; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.21-3.74), history of preterm deliveries (AOR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.38-3.77), and inadequate maternal weight gain during pregnancy (AOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.15-2.75) significantly increased the risk of early-term spontaneous labour onset. In terms of occurrence rate of neonatal complications, we found no significant difference between the groups.

CONCLUSION

These maternal factors are significant predictors for early-term labour onset of repeat caesarean deliveries. The onset of early-term labour did not increase the likelihood of neonatal complications.

Working-hour phenomenon in obstetrics is an attainable target to improve neonatal outcomes

BACKGROUND

Giving birth in a health care facility does not guarantee high-quality care or favorable outcomes. The working-hour phenomenon describes adverse outcomes of institutional births outside regular working hours.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the study were to evaluate whether the time of birth is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes and to identify the riskiest time periods for obstetrical care.

STUDY DESIGN

This nationwide retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 2008 to 2016 from all 82 obstetric departments in Austria. Births at ≥ 23+0 gestational weeks with ≥500 g birthweight were included. Independent variables were categorized by the time of day vs night as core time (morning, day) and off hours (evening, nighttime periods 1-4). The composite primary outcome was adverse neonatal outcome, defined as arterial umbilical cord blood pH <7.2, 5 minute Apgar score <7, and/or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Multivariate logistic regression was used to develop a model to predict these adverse neonatal outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 462,947 births, 227,672 (49.2%) occurred during off hours and had a comparable distribution in all maternity units, regardless of volume (<500 births per year: 50.3% during core time vs 49.7% during off hours; ≥500 births per year: 50.7% core time vs 49.3% off hours; perinatal tertiary center: 51.2% core time vs 48.8% off hours). Furthermore, most women (35.8-35.9%) gave birth between 2:00 and 5:59 am (night periods 3 and 4). After adjustment for covariates, we found that adverse neonatal outcomes also occurred more frequently during these night periods 3 and 4, in addition to the early morning period (night 3: odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.08; P < .001; night 4: odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-1.10; P < .001; early morning period: odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.08; P < .001). The adjusted odds for adverse outcomes were lowest for births between 6:00 and 7:59 pm (odds ratio, 0.96; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-0.99; P = .006).

CONCLUSION

There is an increased risk of adverse neonatal outcomes when giving birth between 2:00 and 7:59 am. The so-called working-hour phenomenon is an attainable target to improve neonatal outcomes. Health care providers should ensure an optimal organizational framework during this time period.

Association between time of delivery and poor perinatal outcomes -An evaluation of deliveries in a tertiary hospital, South-east Nigeria

OBJECTIVES

Nigeria account for a significant proportion of adverse perinatal outcome. Nigerian studies assessing impact of time of delivery on perinatal outcome are scarce. This study evaluates any associations between time of delivery and perinatal outcome.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki from 01 January 2016 to 30 June 2018. Data were analysed with IBM SPSS version 25.0.

RESULTS

A total of 4,556 deliveries were analysed. Majority (72.2%) delivered on week days and 27.8% on weekends. Over 90% had 1st and 5th minutes Apgar scores ≥7. There was statistical difference in NICU admission between morning and evening hours (p = 0.009) but not between morning and night hours (p = 0.795). ENND during evening was twice higher (1.2%) than morning (0.5%); p = 0.047 and night hours (0.6%); p = 0.623.There was no difference in the risk of fresh stillbirths between morning and evening (p = 0.560), as well as morning and night hours (p = 0.75), there was also no difference in fresh stillbirths between week days and weekends (p = 0.895). There was no difference in low Apgar scores at 1st minute between morning and evening (p = 0.053) and night (p = 0.221), and between weekdays and weekends (p = 0.524). Similarly, there was no difference in low 5th minute Apgar scores between morning and evening (p = 0.165) and night (p = 0.944), as well as between week days and weekends (p = 0.529). However, ENND was twice (p = 0.085) and 1.3 times higher (p = 0.526) for evening and night hours respectively, while there was no difference between weekends and week days (p = 0.652).

CONCLUSION

NICU admission and ENND were commoner during evening hours. However, work hours did not affect the rate of stillbirth and low Apgar scores during weekdays and weekends. It is pertinent for each obstetric unit to identify and modify factors responsible for unfavourable outcomes during various shifts, with the aim of improving perinatal health.

Magnitude and modifiers of the weekend effect in hospital admissions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To examine the magnitude of the weekend effect, defined as differences in patient outcomes between weekend and weekday hospital admissions, and factors influencing it.

DESIGN

A systematic review incorporating Bayesian meta-analyses and meta-regression.

DATA SOURCES

We searched seven databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE from January 2000 to April 2015, and updated the MEDLINE search up to November 2017. Eligibility criteria: primary research studies published in peer-reviewed journals of unselected admissions (not focusing on specific conditions) investigating the weekend effect on mortality, adverse events, length of hospital stay (LoS) or patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

For the systematic review, we included 68 studies (70 articles) covering over 640 million admissions. Of these, two-thirds were conducted in the UK (n=24) or USA (n=22). The pooled odds ratio (OR) for weekend mortality effect across admission types was 1.16 (95% credible interval 1.10 to 1.23). The weekend effect appeared greater for elective (1.70, 1.08 to 2.52) than emergency (1.11, 1.06 to 1.16) or maternity (1.06, 0.89 to 1.29) admissions. Further examination of the literature shows that these estimates are influenced by methodological, clinical and service factors: at weekends, fewer patients are admitted to hospital, those who are admitted are more severely ill and there are differences in care pathways before and after admission. Evidence regarding the weekend effect on adverse events and LoS is weak and inconsistent, and that on patient satisfaction is sparse. The overall quality of evidence for inferring weekend/weekday difference in hospital care quality from the observed weekend effect was rated as 'very low' based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations framework.

CONCLUSIONS

The weekend effect is unlikely to have a single cause, or to be a reliable indicator of care quality at weekends. Further work should focus on underlying mechanisms and examine care processes in both hospital and community.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42016036487.

Association between time of day and performance, indications, and outcomes of obstetric interventions among nulliparous women delivering at term

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to determine whether there is an association between delivery time and obstetric interventions, as well as maternal and perinatal outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study of nulliparous women delivering singleton, vertex, live births at ≥37 weeks gestation at a single center from 2014 to 2015. Nighttime deliveries were designated as those occurring between 18:00 and 05:59 h. The primary outcomes were obstetrical interventions (cesarean delivery, operative vaginal delivery, episiotomy). Secondary outcomes included indications for operative deliveries, as well as maternal and perinatal outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 7691 women eligible for inclusion, 3707 (48.2%) delivered during the nighttime. Women who experienced nighttime deliveries had no demographic or clinical differences compared with women delivering during the daytime. Women delivering during the nighttime had greater odds of cesarean delivery (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.14-1.43) and operative vaginal delivery (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.20-2.78). Women who delivered at night were also more likely to have neonates with a 5 min Apgar score <7 (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.08-2.32) and umbilical artery pH < 7.0 (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.18-2.63). There were no differences observed in any of the other outcomes examined.

CONCLUSIONS

Delivery during the nighttime is associated with alterations in some obstetric interventions and perinatal outcomes.

The impact of time of delivery on gestations complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes: daytime versus nighttime

Background: Perinatal death, in particular intrapartum stillbirth and short-term neonatal death, as well as neonatal short-term and long-term morbidity have been associated with the time of day that the birth occurs. Indeed, evening and nighttime deliveries were associated with an increased risk of an adverse perinatal outcome when compared to similar daytime deliveries. Impact of shift change, as well as time of day delivery have been extensively studied in the context of maternal and neonatal complications of cesarean delivery, however, no studies were previously performed on timing of delivery and its effect on the outcome of pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes. Objective: Our objective was to compare obstetric, neonatal as well as long-term outcomes between women delivered in the daytime versus nighttime, in singleton gestations whose pregnancies were complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes. Study design: This was a secondary analysis of a trial of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network "A Randomized Clinical Trial of the Beneficial Effects of Antenatal Magnesium Sulfate for the Prevention of Cerebral Palsy." For this analysis, the time of delivery was divided into the daytime, from 07:01 to 19:00, and the nighttime, from 19:01 to 07:00. Epidemiological, obstetric characteristics as well as neonatal and long-term outcomes were compared between deliveries occurring during the daytime versus the nighttime periods. Inclusion criteria consisted of singleton gestations diagnosed with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Multifetal gestations and pregnancies with preterm labor without preterm premature rupture of membranes were excluded. Results: A total of 1752 patients met inclusion criteria, 881 delivering during the daytime, while 871 during the nighttime. There were no differences in demographic maternal variables. There were no differences in the number of patients receiving steroids and the doses of steroids. Antibiotic prophylaxis was also equal in both groups. Postpartum endometritis, chorioamnionitis, and the latency to delivery were also equivalent between both the groups. Cesarean delivery for distress was the only different outcome, more prevalent in daytime deliveries (157 (44.7%) versus 108 (35.9%) of the nighttime ones p = .02). Neonatal adverse outcomes as well as long-term outcomes were similar between the two groups. Conclusions: In the setting of delivery at a tertiary care center, and in the era of universal use of steroids, and latency antibiotics for the management of preterm premature of membranes, there is no marked difference in pregnancy, neonatal as well as long-term outcomes for infants delivered in the daytime versus nighttime.

Relationships Among Neonatal Mortality, Hospital Volume, Weekday Demand, and Weekend Birth

Background Research findings indicate that hospital volume affects the quality of care, that quality and demand for care on weekends differs from weekdays, and that giving birth on the weekend increases odds of neonatal mortality. Purpose To explore relationships among neonatal mortality, hospital volume, weekday demand for services, and weekend birth and risk of neonatal mortality. Methods For this retrospective, population-based, cohort study design, data were obtained from 32,140 electronic birth certificate records matched with 92 death certificate records from the Texas Department of State Health Services for 2012. Statistical analyses include descriptive procedures, analysis of variance, bivariate correlation, t-test, logistic regression, and chi-square tests of association. Results Higher hospital birth volume and higher concentrations of births during the week were associated with fewer neonatal deaths. Weekend births were associated not only with higher rates of neonatal death but also with lower birth weight and ethnicity of the mother. Conclusions These findings suggest the need for further study of the ways hospital-level organization of services and resources interact with individual risk factors to play a significant role in raising the neonatal mortality risk associated with weekend birth.

Influence of time of delivery on risk of adverse neonatal outcome in different size of delivery units: a retrospective cohort study in Finland

PURPOSE

To evaluate the impact of time of birth on adverse neonatal outcome in singleton term hospital births.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical Birth Register Data in Finland from 2005 to 2009. Study population was all hospital births (n = 263,901), excluding multiple pregnancies, preterm births <37 weeks, major congenital anomalies or birth defects, and antepartum stillbirths. Main outcome measures were either 1-minute Apgar score 0-3, 5-minute Apgar score 0-6, or umbilical artery pH <7.00, and intrapartum and early neonatal mortality. We calculated risk ratios (ARRs) adjusted for maternal age and parity, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to indicate the probability of adverse neonatal outcome outside of office hours in normal vaginal delivery, in vaginal breech delivery, in instrumental vaginal delivery, and in elective and nonelective cesarean sections. We analyzed different size-categories of maternity hospitals and different on-call arrangements.

RESULTS

Instrumental vaginal delivery had increased risk for mortality (ARR 3.31, 95%CI; 1.01-10.82) outside office hours. Regardless of hospital volume and on-call arrangement, the risk for low Apgar score or low umbilical artery pH was higher outside office hours (ARR 1.23, 95%CI; 1.15-1.30). Intrapartum and early neonatal mortality increased only in large, nonuniversity hospitals outside office hours (ARR 1.51, 95%CI; 1.07-2.14).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to office hours, babies born outside office hours are in higher risk for adverse outcome. Demonstration of more detailed circadian effects on adverse neonatal outcomes in different subgroups requires larger data.

Association between Off-Peak Hour Birth and Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality among Very Low Birth Weight Infants

OBJECTIVE

To assess the independent association between overnight or "off-peak" hour delivery and 3 neonatal morbidities strongly associated with childhood neurocognitive impairment.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective population based cohort study of all infants with birth weights of 500-1499 g born without severe congenital anomalies in California or Pennsylvania between 2002 and 2009. Off-peak hour delivery was defined as birth between 12:00 a.m. and 6:59 a.m. The study outcomes were death; bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, and severe (grade 3 or 4) intraventricular hemorrhage among survivors; the composite of each morbidity or mortality; and the composite of death or 1 or more of the evaluated morbidities.

RESULTS

Of 47 617 evaluated infants, 9317 (19.6%) were born during off-peak hours. The frequencies of all study outcomes were higher among infants born during off-peak compared with peak hours. After adjusting for maternal, infant, and hospital characteristics, off-peak hour delivery was associated with increased odds of severe intraventricular hemorrhage among survivors (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.23-1.57) and the composite outcomes of death or severe intraventricular hemorrhage (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.25) and death or major morbidity (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02-1.15). There was no evidence of subgroup effects based on delivery mode, birth hospital neonatal intensive care level or annual very low birth weight infant delivery volume, or weekday vs weekend off-peak hour delivery for any study outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Very low birth weight infants born between midnight and 7:00 a.m. are at increased risk for severe intraventricular hemorrhage and death or major neonatal morbidity.

Is time of birth a predictor of adverse perinatal outcome? A hospital-based cross-sectional study in a low-resource setting, Tanzania

Background

Inconsistent evidence of a higher risk of adverse perinatal outcomes during off-hours compared to office hours necessitated a search for clear evidence of an association between time of birth and adverse perinatal outcomes.

Methods

A cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary referral hospital compared perinatal outcomes across three working shifts over 24 h. A checklist and a questionnaire were used to record parturients’ socio-demographic and obstetric characteristics, mode of delivery and perinatal outcomes, including 5th minute Apgar score, and early neonatal mortality. Risks of adverse outcomes included maternal age, parity, referral status and mode of delivery, and were assessed for their association with time of delivery and prevalence of fresh stillbirth as a proxy for poor perinatal outcome at a significance level of p = 0.05.

Results

Off-hour deliveries were nearly twice as likely to occur during the night shift (odds ratio (OR), 1.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50–1.72), but were unlikely during the evening shift (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45–0.71) (all p < 0.001). Neonatal distress (O.R, 1.48, 95% CI; 1.07–2.04, p = 0.02), early neonatal deaths (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.07–2.72, p = 0.03) and fresh stillbirths (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.31–2.90, p = 0.001) were more significantly associated with deliveries occurring during night shifts compared to evening and morning shifts. However, fresh stillbirths occurring during the night shift were independently associated with antenatal admission from clinics or wards, referral from another hospital, and abnormal breech delivery (OR 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3–2.9, p = 0.001, for fresh stillbirths; OR, 5.0; 95% CI 1.7–8.3, p < 0.001, for antenatal admission; OR, 95% CI, 1.1–2.9, p < 0.001, for referral form another hospital; and OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.02–2.6, p = 0.004, for abnormal breech deliveries).

Conclusion

Off-hours deliveries, particularly during the night shift, were significantly associated with higher proportions of adverse perinatal outcomes, including low Apgar score, early neonatal death and fresh stillbirth, compared to morning and evening shifts. Labour room admissions from antenatal wards, referrals from another hospital and abnormal breech delivery were independent risk factors for poor perinatal outcome, particularly fresh stillbirths.

Twenty-four-hour in-house neonatologist coverage and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants

Objectives

To compare short- and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes at 3 years of corrected age of preterm infants cared for by 24-hour in-house staff neonatologists and those cared for by staff neonatologists during daytime only.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected follow-up data on all nonanomalous preterm infants from 1998 to 2004 excluding year 2001 as a washout period. Infants were divided into two groups based on care provided by staff neonatologists: 24-hour in-house coverage (24-hour coverage 1998-2000) and daytime coverage (day coverage 2002-2004). Short- and long-term outcomes were compared.

Results

A total of 387 (78%) of the screened infants were included. Twenty-four-hour coverage (n=179) and day coverage (n=208) groups had a median birth weight (BW) of 875 g (range 470-1250) and 922 g (480-1530; P=0.028), respectively, and both had a median gestational age of 27 weeks. In the day coverage group, a smaller proportion of mothers had chorioamnionitis (20% vs. 30%; P=0.025), received less antibiotics (62% vs. 73%; P=0.023), and infants had fewer cases of confirmed sepsis (14% vs. 23%; P=0.022). In the day coverage group, a larger number of infants had respiratory distress syndrome (87% vs. 77%; P=0.011) and required prolonged mechanical ventilation (median 31 vs. 21 days; P=0.002). The incidence of major neurodevelopmental impairment was not significantly different between the two groups (odds ratio 0.76; 95% confidence interval 0.34-1.65).

Conclusions

Duration of mechanical ventilation was reduced with 24-hour in-house coverage by staff neonatologists. However, 24-hour coverage was not associated with any difference in neurodevelopmental (ND) outcomes at 3-year corrected age.

The influence of hours worked prior to delivery on maternal and neonatal outcomes: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Long continuous periods of working contribute to fatigue, which is an established risk factor for adverse patient outcomes in many clinical specialties. The total number of hours worked by delivering clinicians before delivery therefore may be an important predictor of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to examine how rates of adverse delivery outcomes vary with the number of hours worked by the delivering clinician before delivery during both day and night shifts.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 24,506 unscheduled deliveries at an obstetrics center in the United Kingdom from 2008-2013. We compared adverse outcomes between day shifts and night shifts using random-effects logistic regression to account for interoperator variability. Adverse outcomes were estimated blood loss of ≥1.5 L, arterial cord pH of ≤7.1, failed instrumental delivery, delayed neonatal respiration, severe perineal trauma, and any critical incident. Additive dynamic regression was used to examine the association between hours worked before delivery (up to 12 hours) and risk of adverse outcomes. Models were controlled for maternal age, maternal body mass index, parity, birthweight, gestation, obstetrician experience, and delivery type.

RESULTS

We found no difference in the risk of any adverse outcome that was studied between day vs night shifts. Yet, risk of estimated blood loss of ≥1.5 L and arterial cord pH of ≤7.1 both varied by 30-40% within 12-hour shifts (P<.05). The highest risk of adverse outcomes occurred after 9-10 hours from the beginning of the shift for both day and night shifts. The risk of other adverse outcomes did not vary significantly by hours worked or by day vs night shift.

CONCLUSION

Number of hours already worked before undertaking unscheduled deliveries significantly influences the risk of certain adverse outcomes. Our findings suggest that fatigue may play a role in increasing the risk of adverse delivery outcomes later in shifts and that obstetric work patterns could be better designed to minimize the risk of adverse delivery outcomes.

Birth "Out-of-Hours": An Evaluation of Obstetric Practice and Outcome According to the Presence of Senior Obstetricians on the Labour Ward

BACKGROUND

Concerns have been raised that a lack of senior obstetricians ("consultants") on the labour ward outside normal hours may lead to worse outcomes among babies born during periods of reduced cover.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We carried out a multicentre cohort study using data from 19 obstetric units in the United Kingdom between 1 April 2012 and 31 March 2013 to examine whether rates of obstetric intervention and outcome change "out-of-hours," i.e., when consultants are not providing dedicated, on-site labour ward cover. At the 19 hospitals, obstetric rotas ranged from 51 to 106 h of on-site labour ward cover per week. There were 87,501 singleton live births during the year, and 55.8% occurred out-of-hours. Women who delivered out-of-hours had slightly lower rates of intrapartum caesarean section (CS) (12.7% versus 13.4%, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90 to 0.98) and instrumental delivery (15.6% versus 17.0%, adj. OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.89 to 0.96) than women who delivered at times of on-site labour ward cover. There was some evidence that the severe perineal tear rate was reduced in out-of-hours vaginal deliveries (3.3% versus 3.6%, adj. OR 0.92; 95% CI 0.85 to 1.00). There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference between out-of-hours and "in-hours" deliveries in the rate of babies with a low Apgar score at 5 min (1.33% versus 1.25%, adjusted OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.95 to 1.21) or low cord pH (0.94% versus 0.82%; adjusted OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.96 to 1.31). Key study limitations include the potential for bias by indication, the reliance upon an organisational measure of consultant presence, and a non-random sample of maternity units.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in the rate of maternal and neonatal morbidity according to the presence of consultants on the labour ward, with the possible exception of a reduced rate of severe perineal tears in out-of-hours vaginal deliveries. Fewer women had operative deliveries out-of-hours. Taken together, the available evidence provides some reassurance that the current organisation of maternity care in the UK allows for good planning and risk management. However there is a need for more robust evidence on the quality of care afforded by different models of labour ward staffing.

Weekend working: a retrospective cohort study of maternal and neonatal outcomes in a large NHS delivery unit

OBJECTIVES

Mandatory weekend working for NHS consultants is currently the subject of intense political debate. The Secretary of State for Health's proposed 7-day contract policy is based on the claim that such working patterns will improve patient outcomes. We evaluate this claim by taking advantage of as-if-at-random presentation of women for non-elective deliveries throughout the week. We examine (i) whether consultants currently perform fewer deliveries during weekends versus weekdays, and (ii) whether adverse outcomes increase during weekends.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data on all non-elective deliveries from January 2008 to December 2013 in a large UK obstetrics centre (n=27,466). We used Pearson's chi-squared tests to make direct comparisons of adverse outcome rates during weekdays versus weekends. Outcomes included: estimated maternal blood loss ≥1.5l; severe perineal trauma; delayed neonatal respiration; umbilical arterial pH <7.1; and critical incidents at delivery.

RESULTS

Consultants currently perform the same proportion of non-elective deliveries on weekends and weekdays (2.3% versus 2.6%, p=0.25). We found no increase in any adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes during weekends versus weekdays, despite high statistical power to detect such differences. Moreover, adverse outcomes are no higher during periods of the weekend when consultants are not routinely present compared to equivalent periods during weekdays.

CONCLUSIONS

Under current working arrangements, women who would benefit from consultant-led delivery are equally likely to receive one on weekends compared to weekdays. Weekend delivery has no effect on maternal or neonatal morbidity. Adopting mandatory 7-day contracts is unlikely to make any difference to either consultant-led delivery during weekends or to patient outcomes.

Prostaglandin vaginal gel induction of labor comparing amniotomy with repeat prostaglandin gel

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare 2 inductions of labor protocols.

STUDY DESIGN

Women with live singleton pregnancies at ≥37 + 0 weeks gestation who were booked for prostaglandins 2 (PGE2) vaginal gel induction with a modified Bishop's score of <7 were eligible for inclusion. After an evening dose of PGE2 vaginal gel, women were assigned randomly the next morning into the amniotomy or repeat-PGE2 group. The amniotomy group underwent artificial rupture of membranes (ARM), regardless of modified Bishop's score, and received further PGE2 doses only if ARM was not technically possible. The repeat-PGE2 group received further PGE2 (to a maximum of 3 doses) until a modified Bishop's score ≥7 occurred, when an ARM was performed. In both groups, Syntocinon was commenced once membranes were ruptured. The primary outcome measure was time from commencement of induction until birth.

RESULTS

Two hundred forty-five women were assigned randomly into either the amniotomy (n = 121) or repeat-PGE2 group (n = 124). The time for induction of labor-to-birth was >5 hours shorter in the amniotomy group (24.8 vs 30.0 hours; mean difference, 5.2 h; 95% confidence interval, -2.5 to -7.8). Fewer women in the amniotomy group remained undelivered after 24 hours (47.1% vs 67.7%; P < .01). However, the likelihood of an in-hours birth and the length of hospital stay were no different between the groups. There was no difference in the mode of birth or any of the secondary outcomes.

CONCLUSION

After an initial dose of PGE2 vaginal gel, an amniotomy (once technically possible) is associated with a shorter induction of labor-to-birth time compared with the use of repeat doses of PGE2. Administering more PGE2 with the aim of starting contractions or making the cervix "more favorable," appears to have no clinical advantage.

Effect of time of birth on maternal morbidity during childbirth hospitalization in California

OBJECTIVE

This observational study aimed to determine the relationship between time of birth and maternal morbidity during childbirth hospitalization.

STUDY DESIGN

Composite maternal morbidities were determined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification and vital records codes, using linked hospital discharge and vital records data for 1,475,593 singleton births in California from 2005 through 2007. Time of birth, day of week, and sociodemographic, obstetric, and hospital volume risk factors were estimated using mixed effects logistic regression models.

RESULTS

The odds for pelvic morbidity were lowest between 11 PM-7 AM compared to other time periods and the reference value of 7-11 AM. The odds for pelvic morbidity peaked between 11 AM-7 PM (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1101-1500 = 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.09; 1501-1900 = 1.08; 95% CI, 1.06-1.10). Odds for severe morbidity were higher between 11 PM-7 AM (AOR, 2301-0300 = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.21-1.41; 0301-0700 = 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20-1.41) compared to other time periods. The adjusted odds were not statistically significant for weekend birth on pelvic morbidity (AOR, Saturday = 1.00; 95% CI, 0.98-1.02]; Sunday = 1.01; 95% CI, 0.99-1.03) or severe morbidity (AOR, Saturday = 1.09; 95% CI, 1.00-1.18; Sunday = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.94-1.13). Cesarean birth, hypertensive disorders, birthweight, and sociodemographic factors that include age, race, ethnicity, and insurance status were also significantly associated with severe morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Even after controlling for sociodemographic factors and known risks such as cesarean birth and pregnancy complications such as hypertensive disorders, birth between 11 PM-7 AM is a significant independent risk factor for severe maternal morbidity.

Moderate and extended neonatal resuscitations occur in one in 10 births and require specialist cover 24 hours a day

AIM

Neonatal resuscitation requires minimal equipment, but the immediate availability of expert staff accounts for the largest proportion of the costs. Despite this, staff requirements and timetables are currently planned without comprehensive epidemiologic data. The aim of this study was to evaluate the staffing required for neonatal resuscitations in the delivery room.

METHODS

We measured attendance for each specific role in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital and for four possible intervention levels: preparation time, basic paediatric care, moderate resuscitation and extended resuscitation.

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2012, resuscitation staff attended 11 561 of the 32 799 births: 27.2% for preparation time, 17.7% for basic paediatric care, 6.4% for moderate resuscitation and 3.5% for extended resuscitation. Moderate and extended resuscitations occurred in roughly 10% of births and evenly during 24-h periods. Basic paediatric care levels were higher during weekday mornings, and extended resuscitations were uniformly distributed. However, there was a drop in all types of interventions around 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., when staff were changing shifts.

CONCLUSION

Moderate and extended resuscitations occurred evenly over 24 h in roughly 10% of births, stressing the importance of having a highly competent neonatal team constantly available. All activities associated with resuscitation were lower during morning shift changes.

Optimising daytime deliveries when inducing labour using prostaglandin vaginal inserts

OBJECTIVE

To determine induction start time(s) that would maximise daytime deliveries when using prostaglandin vaginal inserts.

METHODS

Women enrolled into the Phase III trial, EXPEDITE (clinical trial registration: NCT01127581), had labour induced with either a misoprostol or dinoprostone vaginal insert (MVI or DVI). A secondary analysis was conducted to determine the optimal start times for induction by identifying the 12-h period with the highest proportion of deliveries by parity and treatment.

RESULTS

Optimal start times for achieving daytime deliveries when using MVI appear to be 19:00 in nulliparae and 23:00 in multiparae. Applying these start times, the median time of onset of active labour would be approximately 08:30 for both parities and the median time of delivery would be the following day at approximately 16:30 for nulliparae and 12:00 (midday) for multiparae. Optimal start times when using DVI appear to be 07:00 for nulliparae and 23:00 for multiparae. Using these start times, the median time of onset of active labour would be the following day at approximately 04:00 and 11:50, and the median time of delivery would be approximately 13:40 and 16:10, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

When optimising daytime deliveries, different times to initiate induction of labour may be appropriate depending on parity and the type of retrievable prostaglandin vaginal insert used.

A prospective cohort study of the morbidity associated with operative vaginal deliveries performed by day and at night

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with operative vaginal deliveries (OVDs) performed by day and at night.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Urban maternity unit in Ireland with off-site consultant staff at night.

POPULATION

All nulliparous women requiring an OVD with a term singleton fetus in a cephalic presentation from February to November 2013.

METHODS

Delivery outcomes were compared for women who delivered by day (08:00-19:59) or at night (20:00-07:59).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcomes included postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), anal sphincter tear and neonatal unit admission. Procedural factors included operator grade, sequential use of instruments and caesarean section.

RESULTS

Of the 597 women who required an OVD, 296 (50%) delivered at night. Choice of instrument, place of delivery, sequential use of instruments and caesarean section did not differ significantly in relation to time of birth. Mid-grade operators performed less OVDs by day than at night, OR 0.60 (95% CI 0.43 to 0.83), and a consultant supervisor was more frequently present by day, OR 2.26 (95% CI 1.05 to 4.83). Shoulder dystocia occurred more commonly by day, OR 2.57 (95% CI 1.05 to 6.28). The incidence of PPH, anal sphincter tears, neonatal unit admission, fetal acidosis and neonatal trauma was similar by day and at night. The mean decision to delivery intervals were 12.0 and 12.6 min, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no evidence of an association between time of OVD and adverse perinatal outcomes despite off-site consultant obstetric support at night.

Handoff quality for obstetrical inpatients varies depending on time of day and provider type

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether obstetric handoff quality differs morning versus evening, weekend versus weekday, or based on provider type.

STUDY DESIGN

Using the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) handoff guidelines, we developed an observational tool to assess whether handoffs included its 8 recommended elements. We observed handoffs between attending obstetricians, Obstetrics and Gynecology residents, labor and delivery nurses, and certified nurse midwives. Observation times included a balance of morning, evening, weekdays, and weekends. Participants were blinded to the study objectives. We defined high-quality handoffs as those that included 7 of the 8 recommended ACOG elements.

RESULTS

A total of 425 inpatient handoffs were observed: 233 (55%) were morning handoffs and 189 (45%) were evening; 251 (59%) were on weekdays and 171 (41%) on weekends. Of the handoffs observed, 201 (48%) were presented by residents, 139 (33%) by nurses, 56 (13%) by attending obstetricians, and 26 (6%) by midwives. Only 169 (40%) of all handoffs met criteria for high quality. A greater percentage of all morning handoffs met criteria as compared to evening handoffs (45% vs. 34%, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the overall percentage of weekday and weekend handoffs meeting criteria (39% vs. 42%, p = 0.48). Residents had a higher percentage of high-quality handoffs as compared to nurses (55% vs. 32%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Based on criteria developed for this study, handoff quality may vary based on time of day and provider type. These findings present an opportunity to further assess reasons for variation and propose changes to standardize and improve the handoff process.

Predictors of mortality in nontraumatic subdural hematoma

OBJECT

Subdural hematoma (SDH) is a common diagnosis in neurosurgical and neurocritical practice. Comprehensive outcome data are lacking for nontraumatic SDH. The authors determined which factors are associated with in-hospital mortality in a large sample of patients with nontraumatic SDH.

METHODS

Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, the authors selected adults who had been hospitalized in the US between 2007 and 2009 and in whom a primary diagnosis of nontraumatic SDH (ICD-9-CM code 432.1) had been made. Demographics, comorbidities, surgical treatment, and discharge outcomes were identified. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Among 14,093 patients with acute nontraumatic SDH, the mean age was 71.4 ± 14.8 (mean ± standard deviation). In addition, 22.2% of the patients were admitted during the weekend. Surgical evacuation was performed in 51.4% of the patients, and 11.8% of all patients died during hospitalization. In multivariate analyses, patient age (adjusted OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.012-1.022), congestive heart failure (adjusted OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.19-1.71), warfarin use (adjusted OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.17-1.70), coagulopathy (adjusted OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.75-2.61), mechanical ventilation (adjusted OR 16.85, 95% CI 14.29-19.86), and weekend admission (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.02-1.38) were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality. Race (Hispanic: adjusted OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.51-0.83; black: adjusted OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.96), urban hospital location (adjusted OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.54-0.89), and surgical SDH evacuation (adjusted OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.45-0.60) were strong independent predictors for decreased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

One in 9 patients with nontraumatic SDH dies during hospitalization. Among the several predictors of in-hospital mortality, the weekend effect and treatment with surgical evacuation are potentially modifiable factors. Further investigation may lead to improvements in management and outcomes.