Comments on: Another birthing unit closes http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/07/another-birthing-unit-closes.html medical blog Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:35:28 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dr D http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/07/another-birthing-unit-closes.html/comment-page-1#comment-77751 Dr D Mon, 16 Jul 2007 22:00:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/07/another-birthing-unit-closes.html#comment-77751 About 15 years ago as Chief of Staff and member of the hospital board I sucessfully petitioned to close our OB unit. It was economically viable but, at less than 60 births per year, we were plagued by medical errors. None were serious. ALL were nursing errors. It turned out that any particular OB nurse was only attending a small number of cases per year and it was not enough to keep their skills. The OB doctor was not a problem. Malpractice rates were not a problem. If small units close so that consolidation leads to improved skills, the patients win even if access is somewhat diminished. About 15 years ago as Chief of Staff and member of the hospital board I sucessfully petitioned to close our OB unit. It was economically viable but, at less than 60 births per year, we were plagued by medical errors. None were serious. ALL were nursing errors. It turned out that any particular OB nurse was only attending a small number of cases per year and it was not enough to keep their skills. The OB doctor was not a problem. Malpractice rates were not a problem. If small units close so that consolidation leads to improved skills, the patients win even if access is somewhat diminished.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2007/07/another-birthing-unit-closes.html/comment-page-1#comment-77742 Anonymous Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:49:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2007/07/another-birthing-unit-closes.html#comment-77742 Yes, if it weren't for malpractice costs, the citizens in that area would have more babies.<br/><br/>Never miss a chance for a dubious correlation. Yes, if it weren’t for malpractice costs, the citizens in that area would have more babies.

Never miss a chance for a dubious correlation.

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