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Obstetrical#postpartum#rounding#workflowPGY 1/2/3/4

Postpartum Rounding Workflow

PPALM VFB CC mnemonic, BP / temperature / HR triage, physical exam pearls, daily 9:15 AM huddle on 5300.

Source: OB Days handoff

PPALM VFB CC (possibly the worst acronym of all time): PO, pain, ambulation, lochia (= menses?) · Void, flatus, bottle or breast feeding? · Contraception and circumcision (consented?).

Vitals / Objective:

  • BP: isolated mild range, gestational HTN, preeclampsia ± SF, hypotension, shock?
  • Temperature: >100.4 = febrile. Think about timing in relation to delivery for IAI vs. endometritis. DDx: UTI, mastitis, URI, bacteremia, etc.
  • HR: tachycardia — what was their baseline? Total EBL? Consider CBC / transfusion. Tolerating PO? Consider fluid bolus.

Physical Exam:

  • What is a fundus? Who knows — sometimes habitus is an issue.
  • When do I pull the dressing? POD#2, use spray!
  • HTN: headache, vision changes, dyspnea, RUQ, epigastric pain, edema.
  • Anemia: dizzy, lightheaded, SOB.

Postpartum Huddle:

  • Occurs at 9:15 AM with nursing, lactation, social work, peds on 5300.
  • Discuss early discharges or other concerns.
  • If floor person is in a delivery, the other intern can cover.

Referenced by handoffs