In collaboration with Consulting Editor, Dr. William Rayburn, Dr. Paul Gluck has put together a state-of the-art issue of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America devoted to Patient Safety in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Clinical review articles from expert authors are specifically devoted to the following topics: The Patient Experience and Safety; The Certification Process Driving Patient Safety; Just Culture and Patient Safety; Patient’s Role in Patient Safety; Implementing Patient Safety Initiatives; Eliminating Disparities In Perinatal Care; Transparency and Disclosure; Leadership and Teams; Emerging Role of Drills and Simulations in Patient Safety; California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative: The Power of Collaboration; Role of the Patient Safety Organization in Advancing Patient Safety; Office of Patient Safety; Applying Patient Safety to Reduce Maternal Mortality; Benefits and Pitfalls of Ultrasound in Ob/Gyns; Obstetrical Anesthesia; Patient Safety in Outpatient Procedures; and Safety in Minimally Invasive Surgery. Readers will come away with the latest information they need to improve outcomes and safety in obstetric and gynecologic patients.

The topic of Patient Safety is reviewed in this issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, guest edited by Dr. Paul A. Gluck. Authorities in the field have come together to pen articles on topics including The History of Patient Safety; Error Theory; Practical Solutions to Improve Safety in the OB/GYN Office Setting and in the Operating Room; Medication Safety; Transparency, Apology, and Disclosure of Adverse Outcomes; Electronic Health Records and Electronic Prescribing; Team Function in Obstetrics to Reduce Error and Improve Outcomes; Simulation in Obstetrics and Gynecology; OB/GYN Patient Safety and Risk Management; and Quality Assessment Tools: ACOG Voluntary Review for Quality of Care Program.

The Ob/Gyn Hospitalist, the newest subspecialist in the field of obstetrics and gynecology, has the potential to improve patient safety, patient and provider satisfaction, workforce challenges and clinical outcomes. Programs are exploding across the country, mirroring the growth of the internal medicine hospitalist programs 10 years ago. Ob/Gyn hospitalist jobs are the most sought after in the field. We will present the history of the Ob/Gyn Hospitalist movement, available evidence to date supporting Ob/Gyn Hospitalists, and where we believe the field is going.

Designed for all providers of women's healthcare - including those undertaking Maintenance of Certification programs, trainees preparing for postgraduate examinations, and those initiating or growing a program of quality improvement and patient safety - this practical manual guides those implementing QI and safety programs with specific emphasis on Obstetrics and Gynecology practice. The content contains a strong case-based element to improve accessibility and understanding. An introductory section covers core attributes needed by all physicians to build a culture of patient safety, including leadership, communication and QI skills. Core clinical skills are then reviewed - in a variety of labor ward, office, operating room, and outpatient settings. Finally systems implications are highlighted, including information transparency and disclosure, training programs, and regulatory and legal implications. The editors are involved with national and international initiatives educating physicians in safety aspects of practice. The book is published in collaboration with the Foundation for EXXcellence.

Despite advances in medical technology and patient safety initiatives, maternal morbidity and mortality rates continue to increase. Maternal mortality trends in the US as reported from the CDC from 1989-2009 demonstrate increasing mortality trends from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 17.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2009. To combat this problem, a thorough understanding of the critical medical and surgical issues that are often encountered in pregnancy is essential. Each article addresses a topic relevant to care of the critically ill gravida.