The Critical Care Obstetrics Podcast

In this case study, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird discuss a patient with preeclampsia who develops severe range BPs and pulmonary edema. While you listen, determine which signs and symptoms that indicate pulmonary edema and how you would manage this critically ill patient in your institution.  The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience car...

In this episode, Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird discusses oliguria in patients diagnosed with preeclampsia. She will outline 3 hemodynamic categories that may cause preeclampsia in this patient population and the rationale for use of a Foley catheter to evaluate urine output. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to dis...

Hospitals have been recording actual patient events for quality improvement in some departments for years and the practice is spreading to other departments.  What is involved with recording actual events  and what effect might it have on patient care?   Julie Arafeh interviews Dr Lou Halamek on a program he is involved with in a busy NICU. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their...

Dr Stephanie Martin discusses the key components of informed consent with an emphasis of shifting beyond the concept of informed consent solely as a signature on a form. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medica...

Join Julie Arafeh as she shares practical tips for conducting AND participating in debriefing after real clinical events. Gain insight into how debriefing can be linked with quality improvement to address issues on the unit and can foster team building to enhance team performance. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant wom...

Julie Arafeh discusses the administration of whole blood in obstetric massive hemorrhage emergencies with Dr. Alan Frankfurt, an OB Anesthesiologist. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clini...

Suzanne and Stephanie discuss a case of peripartum invasive Group A Strep and highlight management opportunities.  Listeners will also learn about the WAR on invasive Group A strep:  W: Weird, wild pain A: Aggressive intervention R: Rapid progression The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges en...

Amniotic Fluid Embolism is a devastating and rare complication of pregnancy. The A-OK protocol is commonly advocated for as a life saving therapy in this scenario. Dr Stephanie Martin reviews the case reports and discusses her opinions on the role of A-OK in AFE management. Go to www.amnioticfluidembolism.org for access to a free educational program on AFE. Case reports referenced: Wothe JK, Elfst...

Family presence during resuscitation is becoming more accepted in ICUs and Emergency Departments.  What about obstetric resuscitations?  Dr Suzanne Baird and Julie Arafeh discuss family presence during maternal cardiac arrest and other obstetric emergencies.   The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the cha...

Adequate volume replacement is a key patient management goal of many severe illnesses during pregnancy particularly hemorrhage.  Often patients are not adequately volume resuscitated with disastrous outcomes.  Listen to Julie Arafeh talk with Dr Alan Frankfurt, OB Anesthesiologist on volume replacement during pregnancy. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experienc...

In this episode, Stephanie and Suzanne discuss DKA pathophysiology, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and management.  The critical care management aspects outlined include: 1.  Replace fluids 2. Supply insulin 3. Replace potassium 4. Supply glucose The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenge...

Suzanne and Stephanie discuss the clinical presentation and diagnosis of pulmonary edema, including how to differentiate between cardiogenic and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. They also address assessment of the pregnant patient with hypoxemia and management of both types of pulmonary edema. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill...

In this podcast Julie Arafeh discusses rethinking the response to maternal early warning criteria to be better prepared for obstetric emergencies. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical...

Dr. Stephanie Martin and Julie Arafeh discuss another hemorrhage case and how the outcome could have been prevented.  Communication plays such a huge part in this case. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical...

Dr. Stephanie Martin and Julie Arafeh discuss when and how to use the chain of command to ensure patient safety and maintain trust between members of the healthcare team. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medic...

Dr Lou Halamek joins Julie Arafeh in a discussion on the use of debriefing to improve team performance, including strategies and tactics for more effective and efficient debriefings. Here are some useful references to review: Halamek LP, Cady R, Sterling MR.  Using briefing, simulation and debriefing to improve human and system performance.  Semin Perinatol   2019;43(8):151178.  Epub 2019 Aug 10. ...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird will discuss the  2nd portion of an unusual postpartum hemorrhage case study.  As you follow along, ask yourself if you are confident in how your hospital would respond to this patient presentation. Where would this patient be managed? Who would manage this patient? The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool thei...

To prevent maternal morbidity and mortality, it is essential that postpartum hemorrhage is recognized and managed according to the etiology.  In this podcast episode, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird will present part 1 of a postpartum hemorrhage case study. During the case presentation, think about these questions: - In the absence of external bleeding, how is hemorrhage recogn...

Julie Arafeh has a conversation with Dr Nicole Yamada, neonatologist, and human factors enthusiast. They discuss human factors in healthcare, what it is and how it can impact clinical practice. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stepha...

Not all obstetric patients who have complications during pregnancy, labor, birth, or postpartum have known risk factors.  This case study will follow a patient who enters the hospital for an induction of labor at term gestation with no identified risk factors. During labor, she becomes critically ill.  Ask yourself several questions as you listen: 1.    What signs and symptoms would concern you? 2...

Thoughts on Preparing OB Units for a Disaster: A Discussion with Dr Kay Daniels Dr Kay Daniels, OB/GYN physician and simulation expert joins Julie Arafeh to talk about disaster preparedness for OB units. They discuss what prompted Dr Daniels interest in disaster planning, who was involved in the planning and tips for OB units on disaster planning. www.clinicalconceptsinob.com Twitter: @OBCriticalC...

Dr. Stephanie Martin discusses everything you need to know about recognizing and diagnosing iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, in this part two of a two part series. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. www.clinicalconceptsinob.com Twitter: @OBCriticalCare Instagram: @c...

Dr. Stephanie Martin discusses everything you need to know about recognizing and diagnosing iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy, in this first episode of a two part series. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. www.clinicalconceptsinob.com Twitter: @OBCriticalCare Instagra...

Julie Arafeh has a conversation with Dr. Andrea Shields, co-creator of the Obstetric Life Support (OBLS) Program. Julie and Dr. Shields discuss what OBLS is, how OBLS is different from other life support courses in preparing for and responding to maternal cardiac arrest, and how you can get more information about this new program. Julie Arafeh, RN, MSN is the Simulation Director for Clinical Conce...

Suzanne and Stephanie review hot topics with the use of magnesium sulfate in pregnancy. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine speci...