Are most patients on the labour floor in active labour? A descriptive study of a Canadian obstetrical unit.

Introduction: In its guideline on intrapartum fetal surveillance, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) recommended the availability of 1:1 nursing care (1 nurse to 1 patient) for women in active labour. The common perception is that the majority of women in labour and delivery units are in active labour. Identifying the proportion of women in active labour versus those who are not in active labour is crucial for the allocation of nursing care resources.