Legal Concepts and Best Practices in Obstetrics

Obstetrics and the Law: A Medical Legal Casebook provides valuable information on the medical legal aspects of obstetrics, offering an important learning opportunity for obstetricians and trainees, as well as midwives, nurses, attorneys, and hospital administrators. Written by Dr. Steven Warsof, a seasoned maternal-fetal medicine specialist with extensive experience in the legal aspects of obstetrics, this unique resource not only familiarizes readers with today’s medical legal process, but also presents case studies on common medical legal issues with commentary on how outcomes might have been improved.

• Provides a comprehensive summary of each case along with the clinical outcome, perspectives of the plaintiff and defendant, outcome of the case (when known), best practices for prevention (with a focus on preventable vs. non-preventable risk), standard points of care, and key takeaway points.
• Offers best practices for prevention and highlights key learning points for minimizing preventable risk.
• Includes chapters by notable maternal-fetal medicine specialists and attorneys with expertise in this complex area.

Enhance Your eBook Reading Experience

• Read directly on your preferred device(s), such as computer, tablet, or smartphone.
• Easily convert to audiobook, powering your content with natural language text-to-speech.

xiii
Contents
Contributing Authors vii
Foreword xi
PART 1 UNDERSTANDING THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND AVOIDING RISK
1 Introduction 3
James Shwayder, MD, JD
2 What Is Malpractice? 12
Darwin Bünger, JD
3 Who Are the Players? 22
Pamela Pantages, JD
4 Minimizing Your Medical Legal Risk 34
Steven Warsof, MD
PART 2 AREAS OF MEDICAL LEGAL RISKS IN OBSTETRICS
5 Complications Involving Obstetrical Ultrasound 43
Ray Abinader, MD; and Steven Warsof, MD
6 Management of Preeclampsia and Hypertensive Diseases of
Pregnancy 58
Ibrahim Hammad, MD; and Steven Warsof, MD
7 Complications Involving Fetal Monitoring 66
Steven Warsof, MD
8 Complications Involving Shoulder Dystocia 82
Steven Warsof, MDxiv Contents
9 Complications Involving Postpartum Hemorrhage 89
Seif Sadek, MD; and Steven Warsof, MD
10 Placenta Accreta—The Morbidly Adherent Placenta 94
Jennifer Philips, MD; and Steven Warsof, MD
11 Management of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation 99
Ibrahim Hammad, MD; and Steven Warsof, MD
12 Complications Involving Recurrent Preterm Labor and
Premature Rupture of Membranes 107
Steven Warsof, MD
13 Multiple Gestation 121
Steven Warsof, MD
14 Complications Involving Trial of Labor After Cesarean Delivery 131
Steven Warsof, MD
15 Delays on the Labor and Delivery Unit 142
Shlomo Tendler, MD; and Steven Warsof, MD
16 Complications From Cesarean Deliveries 151
Steven Warsof, MD
17 The Importance of the Medical Record 155
Steven Warsof, MD
18 Utilization of Rh Immune Globulin (RhoGam) 159
Shlomo Tendler, MD; and Steven Warsof, MD
19 Genetics in Obstetrics 165
Susan Phillips, MS, CGC; and Steven Warsof, MD
20 Supervision of Residents and Those in Training 173
Hadi Ramadan, MD
21 The Role of the Physician Extenders 180
Wendy Graefe, CNM, MSContents xv
PART 3 OTHER PERSPECTIVES
22 The Second Victims: Physician and Family 189
Eric Swisher, MD; Jonathan Gleason, MD; and Patrice Weiss, MD
23 How to Prepare to Be a Defendant 198
Rodney Adams, JD
24 Malpractice and Patient Safety: Strange Bedfellows 212
Paul Gluck, MD
25 Medical Legal Risks of Telemedicine 225
Bradley Davidsen, JD; and Francesca Ozinal, JD
PART 4 INTERNATIONAL VIEW AND THE FUTURE OF MEDICAL LEGAL REFORM
26 Socialized Medicine and Malpractice—An International
Perspective 239
David Peleg, MD; Omer Pelled, PhD (Law); and Steven Warsof, MD
27 The Need for Medical Legal Reform and the Future:
Three States Where Medical Malpractice Reform Has
Made a Difference 245
James Shwayder, MD, JD
28 Like It or Not the System Works: The Myth and the Mission
of Tort Reform 251
Pamela Pantages, JD
Glossary 259
Index 263

• Provides a comprehensive summary of each case along with the clinical outcome, perspectives of the plaintiff and defendant, outcome of the case (when known), best practices for prevention (with a focus on preventable vs. non-preventable risk), standard points of care, and key takeaway points.
• Offers best practices for prevention and highlights key learning points for minimizing preventable risk.
• Includes chapters by notable maternal-fetal medicine specialists and attorneys with expertise in this complex area.

Enhance Your eBook Reading Experience

• Read directly on your preferred device(s), such as computer, tablet, or smartphone.
• Easily convert to audiobook, powering your content with natural language text-to-speech.