Electronic fetal heart rate monitoring: applying principles of patient safety

In 1999, a highly publicized report from the Institute of Medicine identified major deficiencies in the United States health care system, which fueled the rapid growth of the modern patient safety movement. One of the greatest risks to patient safety in obstetrics is poor communication of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring findings. Standardization and elimination of unnecessary complexity are 2 of the cornerstones of improved patient safety. This article describes a standardized, simplified approach to the definition, interpretation, and management of electronic fetal heart rate monitoring that is evidence-based and reflects consensus in the literature.