Coping With the Stress of Medical Professional Liability Litigation

Number 551

(Replaces No. 497, August 2011)

ABSTRACT: Obstetrician–gynecologists should recognize that being a defendant in a medical professional liability lawsuit can be one of life’s most stressful experiences. Negative emotions in response...

Standardization of Practice to Improve Outcomes

Number 526

ABSTRACT: Protocols and checklists have been shown to improve patient safety through standardization and communication. Standardization of practice to improve quality outcomes is an important tool in...

Re-entering the Practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Number 523

ABSTRACT: Re-entering the practice of obstetrics and gynecology after a period of inactivity can pose a number of obstacles for a physician. Preparing for the leave of absence may help reduce the dif...

Disclosure and Discussion of Adverse Events

Number 520

(Replaces No. 380, October 2007)

ABSTRACT: Disclosure and discussion of adverse events in health care with the patient are morally and ethically necessary to achieve the optimal goal of respecting patient autonomy. Improving the dis...

Substance Abuse Reporting and Pregnancy The Role of the Obstetrician Gynecologist

Number 473

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Drug enforcement policies that deter women from seeking prenatal care are contrary to the welfare of the mother and fetus. Incarceration and the threat of incarceration have proved to be in...

Professional Liability and Gynecology-Only Practice

Number 408

(Reaffirmed 2012, Replaces No. 288, October 2003)

ABSTRACT: Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists may choose to limit the scope of their practices to gynecology. The College considers early pregnancy care (often up to 12...

Management of Delivery of a Newborn With Meconium-Stained Amniotic Fluid

Number 379

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: In accordance with the new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, all infants with meconium-stained amniotic fluid should no longer routinely...

Expert Testimony

Number 374

(Reaffirmed 2010)

ABSTRACT: It is the duty of obstetricians and gynecologists who testify as expert witnesses on behalf of defendants, the government, or plaintiffs to do so solely in accordance with their judgment on...

Sexual Misconduct

Number 373

ABSTRACT: The physician-patient relationship is damaged when there is either confusion regarding professional roles and behavior or clear lack of integrity that allows sexual exploitation and harm. S...

Institutional Responsibility to Provide Legal Representation

Number 370

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Hospitals, academic institutions, professional corporations, and other health care organizations should have policies and procedures by which alleged violations of professional behavior can...

Amnioinfusion Does Not Prevent Meconium Aspiration Syndrome

Number 346

(Reaffirmed 2012)

ABSTRACT: Amnioinfusion has been advocated as a technique to reduce the incidence of meconium aspiration and to improve neonatal outcome. However, a large proportion of women with meconium-stained am...

Inappropriate Use of the Terms Fetal Distress and Birth Asphyxia

Number 326

ABSTRACT: The Committee on Obstetric Practice is concerned about the continued use of the term "fetal distress" as an antepartum or intrapartum diagnosis and the term "birth asphyxia" as a neonatal d...