The impact of utilizing implications for practice in Cochrane systematic reviews on patient care in obstetrics

Article type
Authors
Nabhan A
Abstract
Background: There is still some skepticism and debate on whether implementing and practising EBM would improve patient care. Objectives: To assess the impact of utilizing implications for practice in systematic reviews on perinatal outcomes during cesarean delivery. Methods: A total of 600 women were randomly assigned to either an expert opinion bundle of techniques in cesarean delivery or a a bundle of techniques based on implications for practice in relevant Cochrane reviews for cesarean delivery. Results: Time from anesthesia to delivery and total duration of surgery were significantly shorter in the EB-Cesarean group. The time to mobilization, time to oral intake, length of postoperative hospital stay, and number of packs of surgical material used were all significantly less in the EB-cesarean group (p<0.0001). Residents and assistant lecturers were more compliant to change in practice than senior staff. Conclusions: An evidence-based practice would improve outcomes of the most common major surgical intervention in obstetrics. Furthermore, it is cost-effective, a finding of particular importance in developing countries.