'Pit to distress': is this an evidence-based strategy?

摘要

Although oxytocin has been used to augment labor for more than 100 years, it is still the leading cause of malpractice claims and liability payout in obstetrics. There are controversies about high-dose oxytocin versus low-dose oxytocin, when to stop oxytocin induction/augmentation, when to start oxytocin induction/augmentation, how fast to increase the dose of oxytocin, how to treat hyperstimulation of the uterus from oxytocin inductin/augmentation, what is hyperstimulation of the uterus, among others. In 2007, oxytocin was designated a high-alert medication by the Institute for Safe Medication Practice, meaning that it is a drug that bears a heightened risk of harm and may require special safeguards to reduce the risk of error. Oxytocin is one of only 13 medications on the Institute for Safe Medication Practice high-alert list.