How to Create a Patient-Centered Team Structure

In the past, labor and delivery units were structured for the convenience of the staff. But adjusting the structure to better reflect patient needs can be a boon for both physicians and patients.

Three separate elements are necessary to create a patient-centered team structure:

1. The core team—includes the physician and the nurse caring for the patient, the patient herself, and the patient's family, as well as any other staff that might be at the patient's bedside.
2. The coordinating team—includes the charge nurse, the anesthesiologist of the day, the obstetrician of the day, and the triage nurse.
3. The contingency team—functions as the emergency team and includes two nurses, an anesthesiologist, a surgical assistant, and the physician on the case.

This structure prevents an overlap of resources and provides a safer way to care for all patients on the unit.

Dr. Susan Mann, clinical assistant professor at Harvard University, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, was a featured speaker at The Doctors Company's OB Advisory Board Meeting. Leading obstetrical specialists gather at this annual meeting to discuss industry best practices and patient safety trends.

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