ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the acceptability of the foetal electrocardiographic (STAN®) monitoring system by patients at a London Hospital, before its introduction into routine clinical care. METHOD: This was a prospective questionnaire-based study of patients who were monitored in labour by foetal electrocardiographic (STAN®) monitoring system. RESULTS: Ninety-three percent (CI 85, 98) of the patients felt that the midwife(s) responsible for their intrapartum care took time to explain why their babies were being monitored continuously in the first instance. Ninety-nine percent (CI 93, 99.9) of patients felt that the obstetricians explained why they were being monitored continuously in labour. After delivering and having been monitored with STAN® 95% (CI 87, 99) of women felt that it was an acceptable way of monitoring their babies in labour. CONCLUSION: In resource-limited organisation, such as the NHS, holistic approach to intrapartum care may sometimes feel difficult to achieve. However, with emphasis on women centred care and information sharing women are able to understand and comment on intrapartum monitoring systems.
Subject(s)
Electrocardiography/psychology , Fetal Monitoring/psychology , Patient Satisfaction , Physician-Patient Relations , Adult , Electrocardiography/instrumentation , Female , Fetal Monitoring/instrumentation , Heart Rate, Fetal , Humans , Labor, Obstetric/psychology , London , Midwifery , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
AIMS: To assess staff acceptability of STAN monitoring system. METHODS: This was a prospective study of health care professionals involved in the first 18 months of STAN use at a high risk maternity unit. RESULTS: During the study period 75% of midwives and 80% of doctors questioned felt confident when interpreting STAN cases. A total of 88% of midwives and 90% of doctors felt adequately supported in their actual clinical use of the system. Of all the obstetricians who used the STAN, 95% felt it was an acceptable alternative to fetal blood sampling. One of the main complaints was poor signal quality which occurred in 16% of cases. As many as 97% of doctors and 96% of midwives considered STAN to be an acceptable way of monitoring high risk women after its introduction. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of a new monitoring system to a high risk labor ward is possible, and acceptable to its staff. Constant practical and theoretical support and adherence to strict, easily understood guidelines is required.
Subject(s)
Electrocardiography/methods , Fetal Monitoring/methods , Heart Rate, Fetal/physiology , Attitude of Health Personnel , Electrocardiography/instrumentation , Female , Fetus , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Midwifery , Physicians , Pregnancy , Prospective Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
This case report describes an atypical presentation of eclampsia. A 26-year-old lady presented 5 days' postpartum with a series of grand mal seizures after an uneventful pregnancy and delivery. An MRI scan of the brain showed areas of low signal involving cerebral white matter and right cerebellum. Within 2 weeks, all symptoms and radiologic abnormalities had resolved.
