Long School of Medicine

Initiative to Decrease Episiotomy Rates

Course Description

“Initiative to decrease episiotomy rates” presentation is another online enduring maternal presentation offered to the medical community on demand.

The presenters discuss the historical evolution of episiotomies, the prevalence, risks and alternative treatments.

Statements from leading organizations such as WHO (World Health Organization), ACOG, and FIGO are discussed, supporting best practice of using selective episiotomy versus a routine practice of procedure, with the goal of safe practice for emergency use only.

This course delves into the role of Leap Frog-Hospital Safety Grade that sets national standards for episiotomy rates as a public service guideline. The many disadvantages and potential long-term effects of episiotomies are reviewed while citing ACOG Pub. #766, with the focus on preventative strategies offering the viewer a wide array of non-invasive measures that can be performed to avoid an episiotomy while involving patient and nursing-support staff.

Target Audience

This activity is designed to meet the educational goals for family practice physicians, CNM’s (certified nurse midwives and obstetricians. In addition, the program benefits other healthcare professionals that care for laboring patients.

Learning Objectives

  • Discuss the history of episiotomies
  • Describe reasons for episiotomies and disadvantages
  • Increase knowledge in ways to decrease episiotomy rates
  • Describe ways of decreasing perineal lacerations
  • Establish ways of preventing episiotomies

Faculty/Speakers

Belinda Lopez, CNM, RN, MSN, CNS
Specialist – Certified Nurse Midwife
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
UT Health San Antonio

Amy Bible, CNM
Specialist – Midwife
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
UT Health San Antonio

Patrick S. Ramsey, MD, MSPH
Professor - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Director- Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship
Chief - Division of Materal Fetal Medicine
UT Health San Antonio

The planning committee members and speakers listed below do not have any relevant financial interest to disclose.

Rebecca Terrazas, RN
Amy Quinn, MD
Antonio Hernandez, MD
Kayla Ireland, MD
Dolores Perry, RN
Patrick Ramsey MD, MSPH
Belinda Lopez, CNM, RN, MSN, CNS
Amy Bible, CNM

Physician Participation

Upon completion of viewing the online presentation, please follow the instructions at the end of the presentation to complete the evaluation. Once the evaluation is completed, the user will be provided the option to print their certificate.

Program Registration Information

Registration Fees - No Charge $0.00

Continuing Medical Education Credit - Accreditation Statement

As an ACCME-accredited CME provider, The UT Health Science Center San Antonio must ensure that its CME activities are independent of the control of commercial interests. All speakers and planning committee members for the UT Health Science Center San Antonio sponsored programs are expected to disclose (prior to the activity) all “relevant financial relationships” as financial relationships in any amount occurring within the past 24 months that create a conflict of interest. (“Relevant” financial interest or other relationships can include such things as grant or research support, employees, consultants, major stockholders, members of speaker bureau, etc.)

The UT Health Science Center San Antonio and Rebecca Terrazas, course director and content reviewer for the activity, have reviewed all financial disclosure information for all speakers, facilitators, and planning committee members; and determined and resolved all conflicts of interests.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The UT Health Science Center San Antonio and the University Health System. The UT Health Science Center San Antonio is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The UT Health Science Center San Antonio designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts certificates of attendance for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Healthcare professionals receiving a certificate of attendance should consult with their licensing board for information on applicability and acceptance.

Credit may be obtained upon successful completion of the activity’s evaluation.