Management strategies using non-technical skills to reduce maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality

Abstract

Maternal and perinatal morbidity is a public health indicator of the level of equality in a country; actually, a decline in the number of maternal deaths is an indicator of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Furthermore, the practice of obstetrics gives rise to a large number of lawsuits and malpractice penalties. It has been shown in medical care that in addition to the technical skills required to provide adequate patient care on a daily basis, the development of non-technical skills in simulation scenarios, including effective communication tools, exercise and respect of leadership, teamwork and proper resolution of conflicts in the group under critical situations, in this case obstetric emergencies, lower the rates of adverse outcomes for both mother and child. The purpose of this article is to consider from the anesthesiologist perspective, how the implementation of continuous education programs that impact public health policies, in addition to active involvement in the interdisciplinary team caring for the mother and child through public health surveillance activities, and the development of management guidelines in perinatology, may contribute to accomplish these national and world goals.