The impact of maternity crisis resource management training

Abstract

The Maternity Crisis Resource Management (MaCRM) programme for midwives and doctors was developed in response to the critical need to address unacceptable levels of preventable adverse events in maternity care, a high proportion of which result from poor communication between medical and midwifery staff. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in this study to explore the outcomes for programme participants in terms of their satisfaction and importantly, the application of their learnings in the complex clinical environment of the birth suite. MaCRM graduates have pre-empted some serious complications, and dealt effectively with complications over which they had no control. An important outcome of this study is the reinforcement of the urgent need for all who have clinical contact with obstetric patients to receive regular compulsory up-skilling in the management of maternity emergencies.