Feds award $3M grant to local OB/GYN for research

The federal Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $3 million grant to a Fairview Southdale physician to head research into improving the safety of births and reducing medical malpractice claims.

Dr. Stanley Davis, an obstetrician and gynecologist, says the project is based on research by two Fairview hospitals, the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, and about a dozen other hospitals around the U.S.

Davis says the funding will allow the project to move forward.

"[The study will] hopefully continue to show reduced harm to babies and moms, but then also put into place more effective communication teamwork and assess that through simulation," Davis said.

The grant is one of seven awarded nationally to study medical liability reform and increase patient safety.