Onsite training of doctors, midwives and nurses in obstetric emergencies, Zimbabwe.

PROBLEM: In Zimbabwe, many health facilities are not able to manage serious obstetric complications. Staff most commonly identified inadequate training as the greatest barrier to preventing avoidable maternal deaths. APPROACH: We established an onsite obstetric emergencies training programme for maternity staff in the Mpilo Central Hospital. We trained 12 local staff to become trainers and provided them with the equipment and resources needed for the course. The trainers held one-day courses for 299 staff at the hospital. LOCAL SETTING: Maternal mortality in Zimbabwe has increased from 555 to 960 per 100,000 pregnant women from 2006 to 2011 and 47% of the deaths are believed to be avoidable. Most obstetric emergencies trainings are held off-site, away from the clinical area, for a limited number of staff. RELEVANT CHANGES: Following an in-hospital train-the-trainers course, 90% (138/153) of maternity staff were trained locally within the first year, with 299 hospital staff trained to date. Local system changes included: the introduction of a labour ward board, emergency boxes, colour-coded early warning observation charts and a maternity dashboard. In this hospital, these changes have been associated with a 34% reduction in hospital maternal mortality from 67 maternal deaths per 9078 births (0.74%) in 2011 compared with 48 maternal deaths per 9884 births (0.49%) in 2014. LESSONS LEARNT: Introducing obstetric emergencies training and tools was feasible onsite, improved clinical practice, was sustained by local staff and associated with improved clinical outcomes. Further work to study the implementation and effect of this intervention at scale is required.

Incidence of prostate cancer in Sri Lanka using cancer registry data and comparisons with the incidence in South Asian men in England.

OBJECTIVE: •To investigate the incidence of carcinoma of the prostate (CaP) in Sri Lanka and compare the rates with the migrant population in the UK. METHODS: •The Sri Lanka cancer registry data were used to determine the rates of CaP in Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2005. •The incidence of CaP in 8,426,000 men, aged ≥30 years, was analysed using 5-year age bands and age-standardized rates were calculated using European standard population data. •The relative risk was calculated by comparison with the South Asian migrant population in the UK using the Prostate Cancer in Ethnic Subgroups (PROCESS) study data, a population-based retrospective cohort study of 2140 men carried out over a 5-year period in four predefined areas of southern England. •Data from incidental findings of CaP in Sri Lanka on transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) specimens were also analysed. RESULTS: •In all, 1378 new cases of CaP were diagnosed during the 5-year period with a mean age of 69.2 years at diagnosis. •Compared with the previous 5 years, the incidence of CaP had doubled to 5.7 per 100,000, but was significantly lower than in the PROCESS study (relative risk 0.25). •Districts with a higher population density had higher adjusted rates of CaP in Sri Lanka (5.8-12.4 per 100,000). •For TURP specimens, 16.8-18.75% had incidental diagnoses of CaP in Sri Lanka, higher than other published studies. CONCLUSIONS: •The Sri Lankan cancer registry data showed a low rate of CaP, similar to other South Asian countries, but the actual incidence of CaP in Sri Lanka is probably higher than reported, as seen in the densely populated districts and the high rate of incidental diagnosis of CaP in TURP specimens. •The incidence of CaP in migrant South Asians in the UK was much higher than in Sri Lanka. •Further studies are required to examine the environmental and genetic components which may be responsible for the low incidence of CaP in Sri Lanka.

Prospective evaluation of a continuous monitoring and quality-improvement system for reducing adverse neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate a prospective monitoring and quality improvement system for studying trends in the rates of an adverse neonatal outcome, the low Apgar scores (Apgar score <7). STUDY DESIGN: A cumulative sum (CUSUM) chart-based system was used to monitor the rate of low Apgar scores over 2 years. Root cause analysis (RCA) was used to investigate for causes of periods of increased low Apgar score rates. RESULTS: A period of deteriorated outcome (increased rates of low Apgar) occurred in August 2006. RCA identified deficiencies in cardiotocograph education, which were addressed by targeted training and mentoring. Prompt resolution followed, with the rates returning to baseline and staying within acceptable limits through to the end of evaluation in December 2007. CONCLUSION: Prospective and continuous monitoring of clinical outcomes using the CUSUM chart method is feasible and may be beneficial. Early detection of an adverse trend allows for timely corrective action, and may lead to overall improvements in performance.

Improving neonatal outcome through practical shoulder dystocia training.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the management of and neonatal injury associated with shoulder dystocia before and after introduction of mandatory shoulder dystocia simulation training. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study comparing the management and neonatal outcome of births complicated by shoulder dystocia before (January 1996 to December 1999) and after (January 2001 to December 2004) the introduction of shoulder dystocia training at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom. The management of shoulder dystocia and associated neonatal injuries were compared pretraining and posttraining through a review of intrapartum and postpartum records of term, cephalic, singleton births in which difficulty with the shoulders was recorded during the two study periods. RESULTS: There were 15,908 and 13,117 eligible births pretraining and posttraining, respectively. The shoulder dystocia rates were similar: pretraining 324 (2.04%) and posttraining 262 (2.00%) (P=.813). After training was introduced, clinical management improved: McRoberts' position, pretraining 95/324 (29.3%) to 229/262 (87.4%) posttraining (P<.001); suprapubic pressure 90/324 (27.8%) to 119/262 (45.4%) (P<.001); internal rotational maneuver 22/324 (6.8%) to 29/262 (11.1%) (P=.020); delivery of posterior arm 24/324 (7.4%) to 52/262 (19.8%) (P<.001); no recognized maneuvers performed 174/324 (50.9%) to 21/262 (8.0%) (P<.001); documented excessive traction 54/324 (16.7%) to 24/262 (9.2%) (P=.010). There was a significant reduction in neonatal injury at birth after shoulder dystocia: 30/324 (9.3%) to 6/262 (2.3%) (relative risk 0.25 [confidence interval 0.11-0.57]). CONCLUSION: The introduction of shoulder dystocia training for all maternity staff was associated with improved management and neonatal outcomes of births complicated by shoulder dystocia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

The CUSUM chart method as a tool for continuous monitoring of clinical outcomes using routinely collected data.

BACKGROUND: The lack of robust systems for monitoring quality in healthcare has been highlighted. Statistical process control (SPC) methods, utilizing the increasingly available routinely collected electronic patient records, could be used in creating surveillance systems that could lead to rapid detection of periods of deteriorating standards. We aimed to develop and test a CUmulative SUM (CUSUM) based surveillance system that could be used in continuous monitoring of clinical outcomes, using routinely collected data. The low Apgar score (5 minute Apgar score < 7) was used as an example outcome. METHOD: A surveillance system based on the Observed minus Expected (O-E) as well as the 2-sided Log-Likelihood CUSUM charts was developed. The Log-Likelihood chart was designed to detect a 50% rise (deterioration) and halving (improvement) in the odds of low Apgar scores. Baseline rates were calculated from data for 2001 to 2004, and were used to monitor deliveries for 2005. Deliveries for nulliparous and multiparous women were monitored separately. All analyses were retrospective. RESULTS: The CUSUM system detected periods of increased rates of low Apgar scores for each of the nulliparous and multiparous cohorts. The overall rate for 2005 was eventually found to be 0.67%, which was higher than the baseline reference rate of 0.44% from 2001 to 2004. CONCLUSION: CUSUM methods can be used in continuous monitoring of clinical outcomes using routinely collected data. Used prospectively, they could lead to the prompt detection of periods of suboptimal standards.

Implementation of a modified obstetric early warning system to improve the quality of obstetric care in Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVE: To implement a modified obstetric early warning system (MOEWS) to promote identification and stabilization of unwell women. METHODS: A before-and-after study of MOEWS implementation took place between April 2013 and January 2014 in a government referral hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. After piloting MOEWS, cesarean case files were retrospectively assessed to compare preoperative stabilization. A longitudinal "spot-check" study measured use of MOEWS and action taken on abnormal results. A quality indicator was introduced to assess ongoing implementation. RESULTS: Analysis of women undergoing cesarean before (n=79) and after (n=85) MOEWS implementation showed that preoperative stabilization improved significantly post-intervention (odds ratio 2.78, 95% confidence interval 1.39-5.54). The longitudinal analysis of women at baseline (n=43) and after (n=85) MOEWS implementation also showed a significant improvement in action taken (1/24 [4%] vs 28/45 [62%]; P=0.001). The 6-month aggregated quality indicator revealed that 78 (62%) of 125 patients had a completed MOEWS chart, with appropriate stabilization of 65 (93%) of 70 women. CONCLUSION: Implementation of MOEWS improved women's care through action being taken on abnormal observations. Before whole-scale adoption of MOEWS in low-resource settings, the study should be scaled up and repeated to ensure replicable findings.

Fetal monitoring in labor: are accelerations good enough?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether accelerations of the fetal heart rate in response to scalp stimulation (the scalp stimulation test) before fetal scalp blood sampling (FBS) are such a good predictor of fetal well-being as to render the FBS unnecessary. METHODS: A retrospective observational study. Cardiotocograms (CTG) from 54 fetuses during labor in whom 70 FBS procedures were performed, were analysed by an investigator blinded to the outcome, to determine whether accelerations were present in response to fetal scalp stimulation during vaginal examination (VE) prior to the FBS. This was compared with the pH obtained at FBS in a 2 x 2 table. The primary outcome measure was the false negative rate of the scalp stimulation test. RESULTS: There were accelerations at 48 VEs before FBS (n = 70). In five cases there was fetal acidosis (pH

Intrapartum care quality indicators: a systematic approach for achieving consensus.

OBJECTIVE: To identify published maternity intrapartum quality indicators and rationalise them to a core set. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective qualitative consensus group exercise. A literature search identified sets of intrapartum quality indicators in the English language. These were rationalised to a shortlist using criteria adapted from 'The Good Clinical Indicator Guide'. An expert panel from key UK professions and organisations utilised a modified Delphi process to devise a final agreed set of intrapartum quality indicators that are specific, measurable, modifiable and relevant to clinical practice. Each indicator was rated in two rounds of web-based surveys, followed by a final face-to-face meeting of the panel. RESULTS: 290 clinical indicators were identified within 96 clinical categories with up to 18 different definitions. After rationalisation, 10 core and 24 additional quality indicators entered the Delphi process. A final panel of 12 indicators was defined. CONCLUSIONS: By using a simple Delphi process we have defined a set of broad clinical quality indicators that provide a comprehensive coverage of labour and delivery outcomes. We believe that this pragmatic portfolio will be useful for many wishing to develop performance monitoring and maternity dashboard systems.

Does training in obstetric emergencies improve neonatal outcome?

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the introduction of Obstetrics Emergency Training in line with the recommendations of the Clinical Negligence Scheme for Trusts (CNST) was associated with a reduction in perinatal asphyxia and neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE). DESIGN: A retrospective cohort observational study. SETTING: A tertiary referral maternity unit in a teaching hospital. POPULATION: Term, cephalic presenting, singleton infants born at Southmead Hospital between 1998 and 2003 were identified; those born by elective Caesarean sections were excluded. METHOD: Five-minute Apgar scores were reviewed. Infants that developed HIE were prospectively identified throughout this period. The study compared the period 'pre-training' (1998-1999), with the period 'post-training' (2001-2003). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five-minute Apgar scores and HIE. RESULTS: Infants (19,460) were included. Infants born with 5-minute Apgar scores of

Shoulder dystocia training using a new birth training mannequin.

Shoulder dystocia 'skill drills' are a requirement for the Maternity CNST standards. However, there is, as yet, no evidence that training in the management of shoulder dystocia improves outcome. We developed a mannequin for training and investigated its effectiveness. The management of shoulder dystocia improved following training with the mannequin. There was a reduction in the head-to-body delivery duration, and the maximum applied delivery force, following training; however, these did not reach statistical significance. After training no subject applied a delivery force of greater than 100 N, a level above which fetal injury has been shown to occur.