Group B streptococcal disease prevention practices of obstetrician-gynecologists

Objective: To describe group B streptococcal (GBS) disease prevention pract ices of obstetrician-gynecologists. Methods: We surveyed 1019 ACOG Fellows-the 419 members of the Collaborative Ambulatory Research Nett work (CARN) and 600 randomly selected non-CARN Fe ll lows. RESULTS: There were 601 eligible respondents. More than 95% in bot h the CARN and the non-CARN groups reported adopting one of three GBS preve ntion strategies, The most commonly reported strategy was a combination app roach not described in the consensus guidelines, The second most common str ategy was the screening-based strategy; the risk-based strategy was third. Most respondents provided GBS information to all prenatal patients, but tho se using a risk-based strategy and those in solo practice were less likely to do so. Less than 60% in each group used penicillin as their first choice for GBS prophylaxis. More than 20% in each group who routinely screened fo r GBS did not collect both vaginal and rectal cultures. Respondents rated A COG publications as the most important influence on their GBS prevention ap proach. Conclusion: Almost all ACOG Fellows have adopted a GBS prevention strategy. The importance of providing GBS prevention information to all patients, us e of penicillin, and collection of both vaginal and rectal cultures should be reinforced. (C) 2001 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gyneco logists.