Utility of paperless partogram in labor management

Background: Partograph use in labor has revolutionized the obstetric care. WHO recommends universal use of WHO modified partograph, which in clinical setup is less often used. Debdas (2006) proposed the paperless partogram which is designed for use by clinician/nurses/midwives as it is very simple and low skill method. The present study is proposed to evaluate the effectiveness of paperless partogram as a bedside tool and its comparison with WHO modified partograph.Methods: It was a prospective analytical study done in department of obstetrics and gynecology, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh from September 2017 to July 2019 and included 400 pregnant women at term, divided into 2 groups of 100 each Group A (paperless partogram) and Group B (WHO modified partograph) and their labor events were followed.Results: Out of 200 women that were included in each group, maximum women were multigravida, 58.5% in group A and 61.5% women in Group B. Mean age in Group A was 24.68±3.8years and Group B was 24.93±3.75 years. The mean duration of labor in Group A was 3.57±2.20 hours and Group B was 3.40±2.03 hours. There were 87.5% of women who delivered before alert ETD, likewise in Group B; women who delivered before alert line are 88.5%. These differences were statically not significant. Perinatal outcome was also similar in both groups.Conclusions: In our study, the paperless study was found to be as efficient as WHO modified partograph for management of labor. The mean delivery time was 3.57 hours similar to WHO partograph of difference between alert and action line. Thus, for resource poor setting like India with overburdened population paperless partogram can be used as an alternative to WHO modified partograph which is complex and time consuming.

Evaluation of partogram in 100 cases of both primi and multi gravida each, their outcome in labour and perinatal outcome

Background: the objective of this study was to study the utility of partogram in both primi and multi gravida and evaluate its role in preventing prolonged labour; assess the rate of cervical dilatation on admission, and to evaluate the maternal and perinatal outcome by comparing their partogram in labour.Methods: This observational prospective clinical study involved randomly selected 200 patients in labor divided into 2 groups of 100 each admitted in Khaja Banda Nawaz Institute of Medical Sciences, Gulbarga. Modified WHO partogram was used. Statistical analysis done by Chi square test.Results: Mean age group in primi was 22.05 years with standard deviation of 2.38 years and in multi mean age group was 25.19 years with standard deviation of 3.09 years. Mean duration of active phase of labor in primi was 2 hrs 12 mins and in multi was 1 hours and 35 mins from time of admission into hospital. Mean duration of second stage of labor in primi was 57 mins and in multi was 35 mins. Out of 100 primi gravida 68% had NVD, 1% had outlet forceps. 13% had vacuum application and 18% underwent LSCS. Out of 100 multigravida 86% had NVD, 1% had outlet forceps, 7% had vacuum application and 6% underwent LSCS. In group A in primi 75% had NVD, 0% had forceps, 5% had vacuum application and 0% LSCS whereas in multi 93% had NVD and 7% had vaccum, NO forceps /LSCS. In group B, in primi 20% had NVD, 4% had forceps, 33% had vacuum application and 43% had LSCS whereas in multi 34% had NVD, 8% had forceps, 8% had vacuum application and 50% LSCS. In group C, in primi 100% had LSCS whereas in multi there were no NVD/Vaccum/ forceps/ LSCS cases. In primi 100% and in multi 96% had no maternal complications. In primi 96% and in multi 97% had no neonatal complications.Conclusions: The partogram is used to assess the labor progress and identify when intervention is necessary. This study showed that it can be highly effective in reducing complications from prolonged labor for both mother & neonate, in reducing operative intervention and improving their outcome.

DAKSH: Digital Partograph and Intrapartum Monitoring Mobile Application

Study design: This is a cross-sectional study which reports the development and pilot of a digital mobile partograph application in 5 primary healthcare centers of North Karnataka, India. Background: The DAKSH is a tablet-based application designed to improve care for women in the intrapartum period by addressing the issue related to paper partograph usage. Application is designed to provide real-time labor monitoring, basic decision making support by alerts and better record-keeping. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of mobile partograph in low resource primary healthcare centers. Methods: The digital partograph was introduced at 5 primary healthcare centers in North Karnataka, India. Following 2 days of training, remote monitoring was done through a dashboard and a bi-monthly evaluation visit was conducted. Results were analyzed in terms of quantitative analysis (data filled into the application was compared against hospital records) and qualitative analysis (during each bi-monthly visit staff nurses were interviewed). Results: A total of 10 staff nurses from these healthcare centers used the application to monitor 424 pregnancies for a period of 10-months. During this period the hospital observed around 463 childbirths and out of which 91.56% (n=424) were recorded into the application. Conclusion: This shows good acceptability of application among staff nurses. Plotting of partograph, auditory reminders to monitor labour vitals were helpful.

Partogram and its relevance in modern obstetrics

Background: Normal labor and childbirth is fraught with complexities. In the modern times the child birth has proven to be more challenging than ever. Partogram has proven to be a simple and useful tool in monitoring normal labor. The objective of this endeavor was to site our experiences in using partogram for ‘plotting’ labors, to assess its utility, limitations and cite controversies.Methods: Authors analyzed progress of labor plotted on partograms in parturient women to see whether their labor patterns conform to the standard partogram, and can logical conclusions be drawn from their use to decide partogram’s utility and applicability.Results: The use of partogram was not universal and its charting inadequate due to lack of motivation on part of labor room residents, busy labor rooms. When plotted meticulously they showed a wide variation, and many women did not conform to the rates of dilatation of the graph. The use of partogram did not alter the rate of cesarean section for non-progressive labors with use and non-use of partogram.Conclusions: Philpott’s partogram is a very visual and useful tool to monitor labours and detect labour abnormalities timely. Although it has served as a labour management tool across the labour rooms its use is not universal. There is a plethora of conflicting opinions regarding its utility in modern obstetrics today, ranging from a complete faith in the tool to finding it obsolete and in need of a revision to calling it a medicalization of a natural process.

Comparative study of user friendliness of paperless partogram compared to WHO partogram in preventing prolonged labour

Background: Partogram is being used since 1954 when Friedman described it for monitoring progress of labour. The Paperless Partogram proposed by Dr. Debdas is a low-skill method for detection of abnormal labour. The objective of the present study was to know efficacy and user friendliness of paperless partogram in comparison with WHO partogram in monitoring and management of labourMethods: It’s a comparative study. Total of 100 patients were included in the study where half of the patients were monitored by paperless partogram and the other half by WHO modified partogram. The plotting of the WHO partographs started as soon the cervical dilatation was 4 cm along with regular painful uterine contractions. In the paperless partogram calculation will be two times, an ALERT ETD (estimated time of delivery) and an ACTION ETD. The outcome of labour will be recorded at the end of each partographs.Results: Paperless partogram was better than WHO partogram in terms of documentation, ease of use, learning, time factor, cost effectiveness and monitoring of labour, identification of abnormal labour.Conclusions: In present study paperless partogram was found to be preferred for monitoring of labour.

Práticas obstétricas adotadas na assistência ao parto segundo o partograma com linhas de alerta e ação / Obstetrical practice adopted in the labor assistance according to the partogram with alert and action lines

A utilização do partograma para o acompanhamento do trabalho de parto tem sido recomendada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde desde 1984. Esta investigação foi conduzida com a finalidade de estudar o emprego de práticas obstétricas em mulheres, cuja assistência foi prestada por enfermeiras obstetras e o trabalho de parto foi acompanhado com o auxílio do partograma com linhas de alerta e de ação. O objetivo geral foi analisar o uso de intervenções obstétricas, o tipo de parto, os diagnósticos obstétricos e os resultados perinatais, segundo as Zonas I, II e III do partograma. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com uma amostra de 233 mulheres com gestação única, apresentação cefálica, idade gestacional maior que 37 semanas atendidas em uma maternidade pública do município de Itapecerica da Serra no período de 15 de dezembro de 2004 a 15 de março de 2005. A análise comparativa foram feitas com os testes Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fischer para estudar as diferenças entre as classes das variáveis. O nível de significância adotado foi 0,05. Os resultados mostraram idade média de 24,1 anos (dp=5,8); 39,5% nulíparas; 78,5% foram internadas com dinâmica uterina presente; 69,1% com membranas íntegras; e 63,9% estavam na fase ativa do trabalho de parto. As práticas banho (71,4%) p=0,001; movimento (85,2%) p=0,001 e deambulação (85,7%) p=0,009 foram mais utilizadas na Zona III. A rotura artificial foi mais empregada na Zona II (92,4%) p=0,001, a ocitocina (45,9%) p=0,010 na Zona I. As intervenções monitorização eletrônica fetal (p=0,527), fármaco (p=0,158), posição de parto (p=0,150) e episiotomia (p=0,055) não apresentaram diferenças estaticamente significantes entre as três zonas do partograma. Quanto ao tipo de parto a cesariana ocorreu em 24,0 na zona III (p=0,001). Os resultados perinatais não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante entre as Zonas do partograma.

The utilization of the partogram in tracking the course of labor has been recommended by the World Health Organization ever since 1994. This investigation was conducted to study the usage of obstetrical practices in women who were assisted by nurse midwives and whose delivery was aided by the partogram with alert and action lines. The overall goal was to analyze the use of obstetrical interventions, the type of delivery, the obstetrical diagnoses and the perinatal results, according to zones I, II and III of the partogram. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a representative sample of 233 women with a single gestation, cephalic presentation, gestational age with more than 37 weeks, and assisted in a public maternity hospital in the city of Itapecerica da Serra - Brazil, in the period from December 15, 2004 to March 15, 2005. The comparative analyses were performed with the Qui-square and the Fischer's exact tests to study the differences among the classes of variables. The level of significance adopted was 0,05. The results showed the average age of 24,1 years old (standard deviation=5,8); 39,5% nuliparas; 78,5% were admitted with the presence of a uterine dynamic; 69,1% with intact membranes; and 63,9% were at the active phase of labor. The practices shower (71,4%) p=0,001, movement (85,2%) p=0,001, and deambulation (85,7%) p=o,009 were more often utilized in Zone III. The artificial rupture was more often employed in Zone II (92,4%) p=0,001; occitocin (45,9%) p=0,010, in Zone I. The interventions electronic fetal monitoring (p=0,527), pharmaco (p=0,158), delivery position (p=0,150), and episiotomy (p=0,055) did not present statistically significant differences among the three zones of the partogram. As for the type of delivery, the cesarean delivery took place in 24,0 % in Zone III (p=0.001). The perinatal results did not present statistically significant differences among the zones of the partogram.