Managing Guests on the Labor Deck Requires Clear Communication Consistently, Firmness When Necessary, and Calmness Always



Managing Guests on the Labor Deck Requires Clear Communication Consistently, Firmness When Necessary, and Calmness Always


Christopher E. Swide MD



The labor and delivery suite is one of the few places in the hospital where family and friends are almost universally present during procedures that are fraught with risk (the other being the induction of pediatric patients with the parent present). The obstetric anesthesiologist must have not only the clinical skills to deal with the medical management of parturients but also the social and communication skills to manage guests. In the obstetrics environment, the patient’s family and friends are often in the immediate vicinity. They can be distracting to care providers and may become stressed themselves by witnessing emergency care procedures. Unlike other chapters in this book that address anesthetic emergencies, this chapter focuses on methods for handling the potential repercussions of managing anesthetic emergencies in the presence of guests.

Every anesthesia provider must develop a practice model concerning guests. It is important that this model meet the needs of all “clients” (mothers-to-be, family and guests, the baby, the obstetrician, and the labor and delivery nurses) as well as his or her own needs. Fortunately, there is help available in handling these situations:

Jul 1, 2016 | Posted by in ANESTHESIA | Comments Off on Managing Guests on the Labor Deck Requires Clear Communication Consistently, Firmness When Necessary, and Calmness Always

Full access? Get Clinical Tree

Get Clinical Tree app for offline access