Role Title: Introducing an Instrumental Delivery Safety Bundle Incorporating Intrapartum Ultrasound at KEMH Intern
Organisation: North Metropolitan Health Service
Internship Period: Summer (November - December)
Location: Subiaco
Operative vaginal birth (OVB) is a highly techinical skill. Unrecognised fetal head malposition contribute to adverse neonatal and maternal outcomes. Intrapartum ultrasound improves identification of fetal head position compared with vaginal examination alone, however this is not part of routine clinical practice in KEMH. Monash Health developed an OVB Safety Bundle incorporating preprocedural ultrasound, a team time-out, procedural checklist and postnatal debrief pathway. Implementation was associated with fewer unsuccessful OVBs and the bundle is now being rolled out across Victorian maternity services. Routine preprocedural ultrasound is not routine practice at KEMH. This project will establish an understanding of baseline clinician ultrasound skill set, informing a a subsequent education package and subsequent safety-bundle pilot at KEMH.
Initial project aims.
1. Audit of ultrasound use at instrumental births and fully dilated caesarean sections.
2. Assess clinician knowledge and experience. Survey clinicians’ training, knowledge, experience, confidence, perceived benefits and barriers to intrapartum ultrasound. Include image-interpretation questions and, where feasible, supervised practical assessment to distinguish demonstrated skills from self-reported confidence.
3. Develop targeted education. Use these findings to design an education package incorporating focused teaching, simulation, supervised scanning and competency assessment, supporting consistent ultrasound.
Established in 2016, North Metropolitan Health Services (NMHS) is committed to providing excellent health care for our patients and our communities.
As one of the largest health services in WA, we provide a comprehensive range of adult specialist medical, surgical, mental health and obstetric services.