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Alberta Leads Provinces in Proactive Program to Reduce Risk for Expectant Mothers in Hospitals

Who: The Honourable Iris Evans, the Minister of Health and Wellness Alberta
When: 8:30 am
Where: University of Alberta, Extension Building Third Floor, Room 40, 8303 – 112th Street
Why: Government of Alberta Adopts Trailblazing Patient Safety Program

Edmonton, Alberta – January 18, 2005 – The Honourable Iris Evans, Minister of Health and Wellness will launch the Albertan MORE^OB program today. Alberta leads the provinces in proactive program to reduce risk for mother’s to be in hospitals.

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is pleased to welcome Alberta’s Ministry of Health and Wellness as its latest partner in patient safety. Alberta is the first province to provide the MORE^OB Patient Safety Program - an obstetrical hospital risk/error reduction program on a province-wide to all hospital birthing units. This commitment to patient safety is a solid step on the path to providing the highest quality of healthcare for women and their families in this province.

Recent Canadian research from the Baker Norton Report, published in May 2004, states that preventable clinical errors contribute to between 9,000 and 24,000 deaths in Canada a year.

“The need for added resources and system changes to enhance patient safety is obvious. In today’s financial reality, the Managing Obstetrical Risk Efficiently (MORE^OB) program is a welcomed initiative for cash-strapped governments and hospitals,” says Dr. Gerald Stanimir, SOGC President.

Participating hospitals improve patient safety and quality care and reduce near misses, incidents and adverse events while achieving cost benefits. The MORE^OB program can help reduce costs in the area of shortening the length of hospital stays and preventing liabilities.

“The SOGC commends the Alberta’s Ministry of Health and Wellness, its Minister the Honourable Iris Evans, and the Alberta Perinatal Health Program (APHP) for taking a leadership role in the reduction of risk and errors in this important field. We look forward to working with healthcare professionals in birthing units throughout this province in this exciting and challenging venture,” says Dr. Kenneth Milne, Executive Vice-President & Patient Safety Division Director.

During the past 24 months, the MORE^OB program has been implemented in over 33 hospitals, training over 2,400 healthcare professionals from various disciplines. The results, from hospital feedback, have exceeded initial expectations with an aggregate increase of 15 per cent in obstetrical knowledge in all disciplines and practice environments. In addition, hospitals have reported improved teamwork, enhanced communications, the building of trust and respect resulting in reduced work stress and enhanced performance.

About the MORE^OB Program

The MORE^OB Program is an innovative approach to the care of pregnant women in hospitals, emphasizing teamwork, effective communication, interdisciplinary (nurses, midwives, family physicians, obstetricians) education, multidisciplinary review of normal and abnormal events, frequent skills practices and emergency drills. It brings all healthcare professionals in the birthing unit together in educational workshops and provides the process and methods to eliminate the ‘blame culture’ that exists in our hospitals.

The phase-in of Alberta’s 85 hospitals represents some 1,500 participants. Over the next 18 months, MORE^OB will host 4,100 participants in 118 hospitals throughout Canada.

About the SOGC

Founded in 1944, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada is comprised of over 2,700 professional members, including gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. A leading authority on reproductive health care, the SOGC produces national guidelines for both public and medical education on important women's health issues. The Society's mission is to promote optimal women's health through leadership, collaboration, education, research and advocacy in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.

Last Updated April 19, 2007