Achieving a safety culture in obstetrics.

Preventable maternal and neonatal mortalities still occur, despite the wonders of today's technologically advanced healthcare system. Delivering high-quality, consistent care is the goal of every provider. Yet, obstetrical practice, in which unpredictable events and high-risk situations are the norm, is particularly vulnerable to medical errors.

The perinatal patient safety nurse: a new role to promote safe care for mothers and babies.

Medical malpractice premiums and costs of obstetric claims, settlements, and jury awards are at an all-time high. This article describes one professional liability company's initiative to promote safer perinatal care and decrease costs of claims, including the development of the perinatal patient safety nurse role. The primary responsibility of the perinatal patient safety nurse is to promote safe care for mothers and babies by keeping patient safety as a focus of all unit operations and clinical practices.