Health Sciences North has launched phase two of a three-year initiative to enhance patient safety and professional development in its Labour and Delivery Program.

The MORE OB (Managing Obstetrical Risk Efficiently) training course is designed to standardize professional skills and training for all health care professionals who provide care in the Birthing Centre of the Labour and Delivery Program, a press release from the hospital stated.

Taking part in the MORE OB initiative are HSN staff and management, midwives, family physicians, and obstetricians/gynaecologists.

Phase one of MORE OB was launched last September, with an emphasis on “learning together” as a multi-disciplinary team. The focus of Phase Two is “working together.”

Phase two of MORE OB will include teamwork communication skills and various emergency situation drills.

“When everyone on the floor has the same training and is prepared for any type of situation, it greatly improves the care a mom and her baby are going to receive, especially in the event of any complication,” Kim Warren, administrative director of the hospital's Family and Child Program, said in a press release.

“That’s what makes this such a valuable program and will enhance the high-quality care we already provide in the Birthing Centre.”

As a result of Phase One of MORE OB, several new measures have been implemented in the Birthing Centre.

They include a “skin on skin” policy in which babies are immediately placed on their mothers for longer periods of time after they are born, increased visiting hours for grandparents, and greater communication and standardized procedures between various health care providers.

“I am a proud member of this team and I truly believe that every member of our unit comes to work every day and provides patients with their 100 per cent,” adds Dr. Katherine Richardson, a family physician.

“This year we will further enhance this by improving our communication skills and our emergency readiness as we reflect upon our current clinical practices.”