An evidence-based oxytocin protocol for the third stage of labor to improve hemorrhage outcomes.

Objective: To assess the use of an evidence-based oxytocin protocol for management of the third stage of labor to decrease non-beneficial clinical variation and improve clinical outcomes.

Design: This is a cohort study of pregnant patients delivering before implementation of an evidence-based oxytocin protocol compared to patients delivering after implementation of an evidence-based oxytocin protocol.

Setting: A level III maternal care referral hospital with an average delivery volume of approximately 3000 deliveries.