Key result
Anesthesia claims for maternal death and brain damage increase in the 2000s, driven by hemorrhage.
Observational
Analysis of closed claims reveals an increasing proportion of obstetric anesthesia liability claims related to maternal death and brain damage from hemorrhage, emphasizing the importance of massive transfusion protocols and clinical drills.
May signal need for enhanced obstetric hemorrhage protocols; leaves open whether drills or transfusions alter outcomes.
Obstetric practice carries a high risk of medical liability and involves both obstetricians and anesthesiologists. Analysis of data from the Anesthesia Closed Claims Project database shows an increase in the proportion of anesthesia claims for maternal death and brain damage between the 1990s and 2000 and later, primarily due to hemorrhage. The proportion of claims for newborn brain damage remained unchanged while those for maternal nerve injury and minor injuries decreased. Use of massive transfusion protocols and clinical drills have been shown to improve outcomes from hemorrhage. Good communication and teamwork are critical for reducing obstetric liability.
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Davies et al. (2017) conducted an observational in Obstetric anesthesia liability claims. Analysis of the Anesthesia Closed Claims Project database showed an increase in anesthesia claims for maternal death and brain damage between the 1990s and 2000s, primarily due to hemorrhage.
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