TY - JOUR
T1 - The impact of delivery suite guidelines on intrapartum care in 'standard primigravida'
AU - Alfirevic, Zarko
AU - Edwards, Grace
AU - Platt, Mary Jane
PY - 2004/7/15
Y1 - 2004/7/15
N2 - Objective: To compare intrapartum interventions and outcomes in low-risk primiparous women and identify factors which may contribute to the variations between different maternity units. Design: Prospective observational study. Participants: Ten maternity units in England. Methods: Participating units provided data on 11 clinical indicators for all 'standard primigravidae' delivered between January and December 2000 and provided information on written delivery suite policies operational during July 2000. Results: There was a significant inter-unit variation in the use of intrapartum foetal blood sampling, use of syntocinon for augmentation of labour, mode of delivery, type of perineal damage, postpartum haemorrhage, low Apgar score and admission to SCBU. Units with guidelines for intrapartum foetal heart monitoring had higher rate of normal vaginal deliveries (odds ratio (OR): 1.34; 99% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.70) and lower rate of Caesarean section for foetal distress (OR: 0.57; 99% CI: 0.34-0.96). Units with partogram guidelines also had lower rates of Caesarean section for foetal distress (OR: 0.49; 99% CI: 0.30-0.81). Units with guidelines on the management of episiotomy had higher episiotomy rates (OR: 1.54; 99% CI: 1.15-2.06) while units with guidelines on the involvement of neonatal staff recorded less babies with Apgar score <7 at 5 min (OR: 0.37; 99% CI: 0.17-0.76). Conclusions: Written delivery suite guidelines have significant impact on the type of intrapartum care and outcome of pregnancy in low-risk women. Their availability suggests more active role of interested clinicians in the provision of intrapartum care. There is an urgent need to identify other factors that influence quality and quantity of clinical input into the care of low-risk pregnant women.
AB - Objective: To compare intrapartum interventions and outcomes in low-risk primiparous women and identify factors which may contribute to the variations between different maternity units. Design: Prospective observational study. Participants: Ten maternity units in England. Methods: Participating units provided data on 11 clinical indicators for all 'standard primigravidae' delivered between January and December 2000 and provided information on written delivery suite policies operational during July 2000. Results: There was a significant inter-unit variation in the use of intrapartum foetal blood sampling, use of syntocinon for augmentation of labour, mode of delivery, type of perineal damage, postpartum haemorrhage, low Apgar score and admission to SCBU. Units with guidelines for intrapartum foetal heart monitoring had higher rate of normal vaginal deliveries (odds ratio (OR): 1.34; 99% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.70) and lower rate of Caesarean section for foetal distress (OR: 0.57; 99% CI: 0.34-0.96). Units with partogram guidelines also had lower rates of Caesarean section for foetal distress (OR: 0.49; 99% CI: 0.30-0.81). Units with guidelines on the management of episiotomy had higher episiotomy rates (OR: 1.54; 99% CI: 1.15-2.06) while units with guidelines on the involvement of neonatal staff recorded less babies with Apgar score <7 at 5 min (OR: 0.37; 99% CI: 0.17-0.76). Conclusions: Written delivery suite guidelines have significant impact on the type of intrapartum care and outcome of pregnancy in low-risk women. Their availability suggests more active role of interested clinicians in the provision of intrapartum care. There is an urgent need to identify other factors that influence quality and quantity of clinical input into the care of low-risk pregnant women.
KW - Delivery suite guidelines
KW - Intrapartum care
KW - Standard primigravida
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=3042645238&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2003.10.036
DO - 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2003.10.036
M3 - Article
C2 - 15223161
AN - SCOPUS:3042645238
SN - 0301-2115
VL - 115
SP - 28
EP - 31
JO - European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
JF - European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
IS - 1
ER -