Effect of a comprehensive obstetric patient safety program on compensation payments and sentinel events

Our objective was to describe a comprehensive obstetric patient safety program and its effect on reducing compensation payments and sentinel adverse events. From 2003 to 2009, we implemented a comprehensive obstetric patient safety program at our institution with multiple integrated components. To evaluate its effect on compensation payments and sentinel events, we gathered data on compensation payments and sentinel events retrospectively from 2003, when the program was initiated, through 2009. Average yearly compensation payments decreased from $27,591,610 between 2003-2006 to $2,550,136 between 2007-2009, sentinel events decreased from 5 in 2000 to none in 2008 and 2009. Instituting a comprehensive obstetric patient safety program decreased compensation payments and sentinel events resulting in immediate and significant savings.