Night Float: A Step Toward Better Obstetric Outcomes?

Increasingly, labor and delivery units are being staffed at night by teams of clinicians without daytime responsibilities; however, effects on obstetric management and outcomes associated with institution of such “night-float” systems have not been well studied. Investigators at one medical center assessed practice patterns and maternal and neonatal outcomes during 3 months before and 3 months after adoption of a night-float system within one private attending physician group. Outcomes also were compared with those of another group that maintained a traditional call schedule throughout the 6-month study.

Implementation of the night-float system was associated with fewer induced labors, scheduled cesarean deliveries, episiotomies, and instanc…