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 Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise i ..read more

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 Membrane Oxygenation in the Treatment of Amniotic Fluid Embolism. Case Rep Obstet Gynecol. 2022 May 18;2 ..read more

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.   ..read more

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 ..read more

Suzanne and Stephanie discuss ..read more

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

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 ..read more

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 31500845 Chitkara R, Bennett M, Bohnert J, Yamada N, Fuerch J, Halamek LP, Quinn J, Padua K, Gould J, Profit J, Xu X, Lee HC.  In situ simulation and clinical outc ..read more

In this podcast episode, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird will discuss the  2nd portion of an unusual postpartum hemorrhage case study.  As you follow along, ask yourself if you are confident in how your hospital would respond to this patient presentation. Where would this patient be managed? Who would manage this patient ..read more

To prevent maternal morbidity and mortality, it is essential that postpartum hemorrhage is recognized and managed according to the etiology.  In this podcast episode, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird will present part 1 of a postpartum hemorrhage case study. During the case presentation, think about these questions: - In the absence of external bleeding, how is hemorrhage recognized?  - How would your team respond to this clinical situation? - What are the opportunities in your clinical practice to improve care with postpartum hemorrhage ..read more