Shoulder dystocia is an emergency that almost all obstetrical practitioners will face at some time in their careers. It is the quintessential example of when an obstetrician must act emergently and perform well. Shoulder dystocia is extremely frightening for the patient, her family, the doctor, and the nursing personnel. Shoulder dystocia most often resolves without injury to mother or baby. However, it sometimes leads to a permanent brachial plexus injury to the newborn, which will result in lifelong incapacity—the inability to fully use his or her arm or hand. Despite the fact that the injury is rarely due to any action or inaction on the part of the deliverer, a shoulder dystocia-related injury is one of the most common reasons for obstetrical medical malpractice suits.
In this activity, we highlight risk factors for shoulder dystocia, review shoulder dystocia protocol, discuss current evidence related to causes of brachial plexus injuries, provide recommendations for documentation after a shoulder dystocia delivery, and inform practitioners about common claims made against physicians in shoulder dystocia cases. We examine a number of cases to illustrate key points. After completing this activity, practitioners should be able to: employ one set of accepted procedures to resolve shoulder dystocia; identify the potential complications of shoulder dystocia; analyze the potential causes of brachial plexus injuries during a shoulder dystocia delivery; and integrate awareness of the claims generally made against physicians in cases of brachial plexus injury following shoulder dystocia deliveries into clinical practice in order to improve patient safety, improve documentation and decrease the risk of exposure to medical malpractice.
- Provider:The Sullivan Group
- Activity Link: https://www.thesullivangroup.com/RSQSolutions/course-purchase-home/
- Start Date: 2023-06-26 05:00:00
- End Date: 2023-06-26 05:00:00
- Credit Details: AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™️: 1.5 hours
- Commercial Support: No
- Activity Type: Enduring Material
- CME Finder Type: Online Learning
- Fee to Participate: Variable
- Measured Outcome: Learner Competence, Learner Knowledge, Learner Performance, Patient Health
- Provider Ship: Directly Provided
- Registration: Open to all