Amniotic fluid embolism: a reappraisal.

Objectives: Using cases from our own experience and from the published literature on amniotic fluid embolism (AFE), we seek to improve on existing criteria for diagnosis and discern associated risk factors. Additionally, we propose a novel theory of pathophysiology.

Methods: This retrospective case review includes eight cases of AFE from two hospital systems and 21 from the published literature.

COVID-19 in pregnancy: creating an outpatient surveillance model in a public hospital system.

Objectives We describe a standardized, scalable outpatient surveillance model for pregnant women with COVID-19 with several objectives: (1) to identify and track known, presumed, and suspected COVID-positive pregnant patients both during their acute illness and after recovery, (2) to regularly assess patient symptoms and escalate care for those with worsening disease while reducing unnecessary hospital exposure for others, (3) to educate affected patients on warning symptoms, hygiene, and quarantine recommendations, and (4) to cohort patient care, isolating stable infected patients at home and later within the same physical clinic area upon their return to prenatal care. Methods Pregnant women in an urban public hospital system with presumed or confirmed COVID-19 were added to a list in our electronic medical record as they came to the attention of providers. They received a series of phone calls based on their illness severity and were periodically assessed until deemed stable.

A new approach to professional liability reform: placing obligations of stakeholders ahead of their interests.

The authors utilize stakeholder theory to provide a new analysis of the professional liability crisis, by identifying the major stakeholders in our current system of professional liability, their respective obligations and self-interests, and how these interests are advanced and constrained by the current system. This stakeholder analysis reveals a core ethical obligation of all stakeholders: the preservation of the integrity of our current judicial system. The adverse impact of the pursuit of stakeholder self-interests, rather than fulfillment of their core, shared ethical obligation, on achievement of the goals of the current system, the deterrence of unsafe practice and compensation of injured patients, is then identified.

Medical legal issues in obstetric ultrasound.

More than any other innovation, ultrasound has revolutionized the practice of obstetrics and gynecology in one generation. Unfortunately, there are medical legal risks of which all practitioners should be aware. This article discusses the general aspects of a medical negligence case as they relate to the performance of the obstetric ultrasound examination, summarizes the recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine regarding the performance of these examinations, outlines potential areas of negligence, and discusses ways to avoid them.

Overview of professional liability.

Eighty-nine percent of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists fellows responding to the 2006 Professional Liability Survey indicated that they had been sued during their careers. Thirty-seven percent had at least one claim from residency, and there were an average of 2.6 claims per obstetrician.