Adverse Events in Obstetrics: Impacts on Providers and Staff of Maternity Care

Objective To determine the frequency of maternity health employee experiences with maternal and perinatal/neonatal adverse outcomes and gain a deeper understanding of how these experiences impact the providers. Design Single-institution observational study from 2016. Setting The George Washington University Hospital. Population Labor and delivery, postpartum, and neonatal intensive care staff. Methods An anonymous survey was distributed to maternity staff inquiring about feelings surrounding maternal and perinatal/neonatal adverse outcomes. Predictors included demographics and job-related variables. Associations were examined using univariable and multivariable analyses. Main Outcome Measures Outcomes included depression, post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and work-related problems following the event. Results A total of 105 employees of approximately 230 eligible employees answered the survey, including obstetrics and gynecology and anesthesia physicians (residents and attendings), midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, and medical technicians with a response rate of 46%. Being a physician was protective against symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Resident physicians had higher levels of anxiety/depression compared to attendings. Statistically significant variables predictive of negative repercussions included non-physician status (p=.045), substance use (p=.0036), considering a career change (p<.0001) and seeking mental health treatment (p=.0005). About half of the respondents were aware that processes exist to help them cope with adverse outcomes. Conclusions Non-physicians, those using substances, those considering career change, and those seeking mental health treatment are more likely to experience anxiety/depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms after a maternal or perinatal/neonatal loss. These individuals should be identified and offered additional support.