The effect of vacuum operator's experience on Apgar scores.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a vacuum operator's experience on Apgar scores. METHODS: A historical cohort study was conducted. All women who delivered by vacuum extraction between January 2003 and December 2007 at Songklanagarind Hospital were recruited. Vacuum operators were divided into two groups: staff doctors and residents. Comparisons of Apgar scores and rates of low Apgar scores (≤7) between the two groups were studied. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to control confounding variables for low Apgar scores. RESULTS: The percentages for the procedure performed by the staff doctors and residents were 76.9 and 23.1 %. At 1 min, the rates of low Apgar scores in the staff and resident groups were 6.7 and 24.1 % (p < 0.001), and at 5 min, the rates of low Apgar scores were 0.6 and 5.2 % (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the operator's experience was an independent risk factor for low Apgar scores. The residents had a 2.9-fold increased risk of low Apgar scores at 1 min compared with the staff doctors (adjusted odds ratio 2.9; 95 % confidence interval 1.7-6.8). In the resident group, the third year residents had the lowest risk of low Apgar scores. CONCLUSIONS: The vacuum operator's experience was an independent risk factor for low Apgar scores. Improvement of the residency training program is mandatory.