This is the first episode in our series "Vital Signs are Vital". In this episode we discuss the significance of heart rate in the assessment of vital signs. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise i...

The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for cr...

Julie and Stephanie explain what a recap is and how it can be used to communicate effectively during simulation and during actual emergencies. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care...

Suzanne and Stephanie review another maternal death situation and discuss what they think happened. Listen and decide what you think it was.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetr...

In this episode, Dr Stephanie Martin has a discussion with Jamie Agunsday, MA, MSN, RNC-OB, a nurse abstractor for the New Jersey Maternal Mortality Review Committee. We talk about what is an MMRC, how maternal deaths are reviewed and the importance of the data that is leaned from an MMRC. She also outlines what she wants every OB healthcare provider to know about an MMRC.Jamie Agunsday is a master’s prepared Registered Nurse who has spent the last decade serving women and birthing families i...

Stephanie and Julie talk about a key team skill - professional behavior. We discuss why it matters, how it can show up in emergencies and impact patient care, morale and even ability to hire and retain staff. We also talk about how to use simulation to improve behaviors. Julie presents a real life situation of unprofessional behavior and how she addressed it successfully.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to...

Stephanie and Julie discuss the importance of situation awareness during emergencies. Julie talks about what situation awareness means, the key components of patient, team and environment and how to address challenges using real life examples.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical ...

Dr Stephanie Martin explains the specialty of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. She discusses the types of training MFMs get, the conditions they treat and when you might need to consult one.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine speciali...

In this case study, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird discuss a patient with preeclampsia who develops severe range BPs and pulmonary edema. While you listen, determine which signs and symptoms that indicate pulmonary edema and how you would manage this critically ill patient in your institution. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for the...

In this episode, Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird discusses oliguria in patients diagnosed with preeclampsia. She will outline 3 hemodynamic categories that may cause preeclampsia in this patient population and the rationale for use of a Foley catheter to evaluate urine output.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the M...

Hospitals have been recording actual patient events for quality improvement in some departments for years and the practice is spreading to other departments. What is involved with recording actual events and what effect might it have on patient care? Julie Arafeh interviews Dr Lou Halamek on a program he is involved with in a busy NICU.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the chall...

Dr Stephanie Martin discusses the key components of informed consent with an emphasis of shifting beyond the concept of informed consent solely as a signature on a form.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with exper...

Join Julie Arafeh as she shares practical tips for conducting AND participating in debriefing after real clinical events. Gain insight into how debriefing can be linked with quality improvement to address issues on the unit and can foster team building to enhance team performance.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stepha...

Julie Arafeh discusses the administration of whole blood in obstetric massive hemorrhage emergencies with Dr. Alan Frankfurt, an OB Anesthesiologist.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical car...

Suzanne and Stephanie discuss a case of peripartum invasive Group A Strep and highlight management opportunities.  Listeners will also learn about the WAR on invasive Group A strep:  W: Weird, wild pain A: Aggressive intervention R: Rapid progression The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical...

Amniotic Fluid Embolism is a devastating and rare complication of pregnancy. The A-OK protocol is commonly advocated for as a life saving therapy in this scenario. Dr Stephanie Martin reviews the case reports and discusses her opinions on the role of A-OK in AFE management. Go to www.amnioticfluidembolism.org for access to a free educational program on AFE. Case reports referenced: Wothe JK, Elfstrand E, Mooney MR, Wothe DD. Rotational Thromboelastometry-Guided Venoarterial Extracorporeal...

Family presence during resuscitation is becoming more accepted in ICUs and Emergency Departments.  What about obstetric resuscitations?  Dr Suzanne Baird and Julie Arafeh discuss family presence during maternal cardiac arrest and other obstetric emergencies.   The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical...

Adequate volume replacement is a key patient management goal of many severe illnesses during pregnancy particularly hemorrhage.  Often patients are not adequately volume resuscitated with disastrous outcomes.  Listen to Julie Arafeh talk with Dr Alan Frankfurt, OB Anesthesiologist on volume replacement during pregnancy.

In this episode, Stephanie and Suzanne discuss DKA pathophysiology, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and management.  The critical care management aspects outlined include: 1.  Replace fluids 2. Supply insulin 3. Replace potassium 4. Supply glucose

Suzanne and Stephanie discuss the clinical presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary edema, including how to differentiate between cardiogenic and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. They also address assessment of the pregnant patient with hypoxemia and management of both types of pulmonary edema.

In this podcast Julie Arafeh discusses rethinking the response to maternal early warning criteria to be better prepared for obstetric emergencies.

Dr. Stephanie Martin and Julie Arafeh discuss another hemorrhage case and how the outcome could have been prevented.  Communication plays such a huge part in this case.

Dr. Stephanie Martin and Julie Arafeh discuss when and how to use the chain of command to ensure patient safety and maintain trust between members of the healthcare team.

Dr Lou Halamek joins Julie Arafeh in a discussion on the use of debriefing to improve team performance, including strategies and tactics for more effective and efficient debriefings. Here are some useful references to review: Halamek LP, Cady R, Sterling MR.  Using briefing, simulation and debriefing to improve human and system performance.  Semin Perinatol  2019;43(8):151178.  Epub 2019 Aug 10.  PMID 31500845Chitkara R, Bennett M, Bohnert J, Yamada N, Fuerch J, Halamek LP, Quinn J, Padua K,...