Page 20 - OB Risks - Delivering the Goods (Part One)

SVMIC Obstetrics Risks: Delivering the Goods

opportunity to relate fears and concerns, regarding
pregnancy, delivery, and motherhood. While you as a

physician cannot promise a particular result, you can

reassure the patient that she and her baby will receive the
best care you can give.

• Review the appointment and outline the next steps: review
what you’ve discussed with the patient at the end of the

interaction. This gives patients additional opportunities
to ask questions about the interaction or the plan going

forward.

The practice of obstetrics affords many opportunities for

miscommunications. From the moment the patient learns of the
positive pregnancy test to her postnatal follow-up appointment,

there are a series of scheduled lab tests and imaging studies,
as well as discussions regarding the safest method of delivery.

Some of these require an informed consent discussion and may
even lead to difficult conversations. It is critical that the patient

understands and accepts the risks, benefits, and alternatives
to the recommended plan of care. Additionally, it is necessary

to educate her on the importance of each test, routine or not,
in maintaining the health of both the patient and the fetus.

If she does not understand the value of the test, imaging, or
procedure, or is fearful about it, then she may not adhere to the

schedule and claim she was not fully informed.

It is rare that a malpractice claim is based solely on lack of
informed consent, but it is rarer still that lack of informed

consent is not alleged. When discussing communication, it has
been said the ultimate communication is informed consent.

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