Outcomes of the introduction of the MOREOB continuing education program in Alberta.

OBJECTIVE

In 2004, the three-module, three-year long patient safety program, Managing Obstetrical Risk Efficiently (MOREOB), was introduced to all clinicians providing obstetrical services in Alberta. We report on an outcomes evaluation of this initiative.

METHODS

Provincial hospital discharge abstracts for each mother and infant were obtained from 2003 through 2008. A pre-post design with a multivariate analysis was conducted for each relevant maternal and fetal outcome.

RESULTS

For maternal outcomes, third- and fourth-degree tears and length of stay were significantly decreased. For newborn outcomes, severe morbidity was significantly reduced.

CONCLUSION

The MOREOB program was associated with improvement in selected maternal and fetal health outcome indicators. When a patient safety program is introduced as an intensive, long-term continuing education and quality improvement initiative, health outcomes can be significantly impacted.