Perinatal mortality among term births: Informing decisions about singleton early term births in Western Australia.

BACKGROUND: To minimise the risk of perinatal mortality, clinicians and expectant mothers must understand the risks and benefits associated with continuing the pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: Report the gestation-specific risk of perinatal mortality at term. METHODS: Population-based cohort study using linked health data to identify all singleton births at gestations 37-41 weeks, in Western Australia (WA) from 2009 to 2019. Lifetable analysis was used to combine the risk of each type of perinatal mortality and calculate the cumulative risk of perinatal mortality, termed the perinatal risk index (PRI). Rates of antepartum and intrapartum stillbirth and neonatal death, as well as the PRI, were examined for each gestational week at term by non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal ethnicity. For non-Aboriginal women, rates were also examined by time-period (pre- vs. post-WA Preterm Birth Prevention Initiative (the Initiative) rollout), primiparity, and obstetric risk. RESULTS: There were 332,084 singleton term births, including 60 perinatal deaths to Aboriginal mothers (3.2 deaths per 1000 births to Aboriginal mothers) and 399 perinatal deaths to non-Aboriginal mothers (1.3 deaths per 1000 births to non-Aboriginal mothers). For non-Aboriginal women, the PRI was at its lowest (PRI 0.80, 95% CI 0.61, 1.00) at 39 weeks gestation. For Aboriginal women, it was at its lowest at 38 weeks (PRI 2.43, 95% CI 0.48, 4.39) with similar risk at 39 weeks (PRI 2.68, 95% CI 1.22, 4.14). The PRI increased steadily after 39 weeks gestation. The risk of perinatal mortality was higher among Aboriginal women. The gestation-specific perinatal mortality rates were similar by the time-period, primiparity and obstetric risk. CONCLUSIONS: The gestational ages at term associated with the lowest risk of perinatal mortality reinforce that the recommendation not to deliver before 39 weeks without medical indication is applicable to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women giving birth in WA. There was no increase in the perinatal mortality rate associated with the introduction of the Initiative.

The Schweitzer effect: The fundamental relationship between experience and medical students' opinions on professional behaviours.

PURPOSE: We examined whether medical students' opinions on the acceptability of a behaviour were influenced by previously encountering a similar professionally challenging situation, assessed the magnitude of effect of 'experience' compared to other demographic factors which influence medical students' opinions, and evaluated whether opinions regarding some situations/behaviours were more susceptible to 'experience' bias? METHODS: Confidential, on-line survey for medical students distributed to Australian and New Zealand (AUS/NZ) medical schools. Students submitted de-identified demographic information, provided opinions on the acceptability of a wide range of student behaviours in professionally challenging situations, and whether they had encountered similar situations. RESULTS: 3171 students participated from all 21 Aus/NZ medical schools (16% of registered students). Medical students reported encountering many of the professionally challenging situations, with varying opinions on what was acceptable behaviour. The most significant factor influencing acceptability towards a behaviour was whether the student reported encountering a similar situation. The professional dilemmas most significantly influenced by previous experience typically related to behaviours that students could witness in clinical environments, and often involved breaches of trust. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the relationship between experience and medical students' opinions on professional behaviour- the 'Schweitzer effect'. When students encounter poor examples of professional behaviour, especially concerning trust breaches, it significantly influences their perception of the behaviour. These results highlight the importance of placing students in healthcare settings with positive professional role modelling/work cultures.

Medical students report encountering a wide range of professionally challenging situations, and have varying opinions on acceptable professional behavioursAlthough medical students' opinions on professional behaviours are influenced by their demography, the most significant factor influencing the acceptability towards a behaviour was whether the student reported encountering a similar professional dilemmaStudents appear to be susceptible to normalising counter productive work behaviours, particularly those related to breaches of trustBy placing students in toxic work culture environments with poor role models, we may inadvertently enable healthcare systems to perpetuate poor professional behaviour.

Does the New National Cervical Screening Programme Guideline Detect Cases of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions That Previously Would Have Been Missed?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the number of patients undergoing large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), for biopsy-confirmed high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), where the original cervical screening test (CST) reported oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) and negative liquid-based cytology (LBC). This reflects the number of patients where a LLETZ procedure would not have occurred under the previous guideline. METHODS: Retrospective observational chart review of all patients (n = 477) who underwent LLETZ procedure in a single tertiary unit over a 36-month period. Prevalence of negative histopathology, positive margins, incidental cervical cancer, and accuracy of HSIL identification at colposcopy were measured. Diagnostic accuracy of HSIL diagnosis from initial colposcopic impression was calculated; factors influencing accuracy were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. There were no comparators. RESULTS: Of 477 LLETZs, 5.9% (n = 28) were for oncogenic HPV and normal LBC on referral CST. Demographics between the "study" (oncogenic HPV and normal LBC on referral CST) and the "standard" group were similar, except the study group was less likely to be using contraception (25% vs 47%, p = .023). In the study group, initial colposcopic cervical biopsy confirmed HSIL in 91.6% (n = 27) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 3.6% (n = 1). Histopathological analysis of LLETZ specimens confirmed HSIL in 20 patients (71.4%) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions in 2 (7.1%). No microinvasion was detected. CONCLUSIONS: The renewed National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP), is detecting more "at risk" patients, predicted to lead to a further reduction in incidence of cervical cancer in adequately screened patients.

The effect of bedtime snacks on fasting blood glucose levels in gestational diabetes mellitus.

AIM: To investigate the effect of different bedtime snacks (higher carbohydrate versus lower carbohydrate versus no snack) on first morning fasting blood glucose levels (BGLs) in women with diet-controlled gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and borderline fasting glucose levels. METHODS: This prospective randomised crossover trial enrolled women with diet controlled GDM between 24 and 34 weeks gestation who had two or more first morning fasting BGLs between 4.7 and 5.4 mmol/L in the week prior to recruitment. The women were randomly allocated to 6 different orders of 5 days each of a standardised higher carbohydrate bedtime snack, a lower carbohydrate bedtime snack and no bedtime snack. The primary outcome was fasting capillary BGL as measured with a home glucometer, and the secondary outcome was requirement for insulin as assessed by a physician. RESULTS: A total of 68 women with GDM were enrolled in and completed the study at a median gestation of 30.8 weeks. Compared with no bedtime snack, the higher carbohydrate snack (4.96 vs 4.87 mmol/L, mean difference: 0.09 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.05-0.13, p < 0.001) and the lower carbohydrate snack (5.01 vs 4.87 mmol/L, mean difference: 0.14 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.09-0.18, p < 0.001) were both associated with a slightly higher fasting BGL the following morning. CONCLUSIONS: Taking a bedtime snack was associated with slightly higher fasting BGLs in women with diet-controlled GDM compared with no bedtime snack (Clinical trial registration: ACTRN12617000659303).

Association of gastric residual volumes with necrotising enterocolitis in extremely preterm infants-a case-control study.

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a potentially serious illness with significant mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Previous studies have reported association of volume and colour (bile and blood stained) of gastric residuals (GR) with NEC. We aimed to study this association in our cohort of extremely preterm (EP) infants. In a case-control study using retrospective data (January 2006-December 2011), EP (gestation < 28 weeks) infants with confirmed NEC ≥ stage II (cases) were compared with infants without NEC (controls) matched for birth weight (BW) and gestational age (GA). Forty cases of NEC ≥ stage II diagnosed at a median (IQR) age of 16.5 days (10.3-23) were compared with 40 controls matched for gestation (± 3 days) and birth weight (± 680 g). Median maximum GR volume (GRV) from birth to the day of occurrence of NEC was significantly higher in cases vs. controls (5.9 vs.3.7 ml; p < 0.001). Increased maximum GRV was associated with NEC ≥ Stage II in adjusted analysis (aOR 1.36, 95%CI 1.06-1.75, p = 0.017). There was no significant difference in GRV between cases and controls throughout the clinical course, including 72, 48 and 24 h before the onset of NEC. However, green (65.0% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.001) and haemorrhagic GRs (45.0% vs. 27.5%, p = 0.092) were higher 24 h before the diagnosis of NEC.Conclusion: GRV was not associated with NEC ≥ stage II. However, green and haemorrhagic GRs were significantly higher 24 h before the diagnosis of the illness. Adequately powered prospective studies are needed to confirm the significance of our findings. What is Known: •It is unclear whether large volume, dark-coloured and blood-stained GRs are associated with NEC. •The value of routine monitoring of gastric residuals in preterm infants is currently being questioned. What is New: •Volume of gastric residuals was not associated with significant NEC. •Green and haemorrhagic GRs were significantly higher 24 hours before diagnosis of NEC.

Daily stressors and mental health following disaster: A school-based assessment of adolescent disaster survivors in China and Nepal.

Postdisaster daily stressors, the economic and social challenges caused or exacerbated by disasters, have significant consequences for mental health but are rarely investigated in child and adolescent populations. We assessed posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety among adolescents affected by disasters in China and Nepal and examined the specific contributions of disaster-related trauma exposure and daily stressors across mental health outcomes. A school-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with a stratified random sampling design. Adolescents living in disaster-affected areas of southern China and Nepal (N = 4,215, 52.7% female, age range: 15-19 years) completed translated, validated measures. Mixed effects logistic regression analyses were conducted using a priori risk factors. PTSS were reported by 22.7% of participants and were higher among Nepali adolescents but did not differ between genders. Depressive symptoms were reported by 45.2% of the sample and were higher among Nepali adolescents and girls in both countries. Across all settings, disaster-related trauma exposure was a significant risk factor for PTSS, depressive, and anxiety symptoms, China: odds ratios (ORs) = 1.44-2.06, Nepal, ORs = 1.21-2.53. High levels of household and interpersonal daily stressors further improved the models and contributed significantly to all mental health difficulties, China: ORs = 1.77-1.98, Nepal: ORs = 1.49-1.90. Postdisaster economic insecurity and interpersonal stressors are thus, likely to worsen adolescent mental health outcomes. Programs that identify and address structural inequalities for adolescents in disaster-affected settings will have cascading effects for mental health.

The clinical utility of ongoing sonographic cervix length surveillance in pregnancies prescribed vaginal progesterone therapy.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal progesterone therapy significantly reduces preterm birth (PTB) rates in those high-risk pregnancies with a sonographic short cervix (≤25 mm) and/or a history of spontaneous PTB. Cervical length (CL) is routinely measured at the midtrimester morphology scan; however, CL surveillance thereafter is not currently recommended. Progesterone's precise mechanism of action remains unknown, though if it indeed influences CL, shortening after treatment initiation could indicate therapeutic failure and risk of PTB. AIMS: The aim was to explore the utility of serial transvaginal ultrasound (TVU) measurement of CL at 16, 19 and 22 weeks for predicting PTB in high-risk pregnancies prescribed progesterone therapy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving women who attended the King Edward Memorial Hospital PTB Prevention Clinic from 2015 to 2019 and were prescribed progesterone therapy. CL was measured at 16, 19 and 22 weeks by TVU. CL change across three time points was assessed using linear mixed models; then relationships between CL change between 16-19 and 19-22 weeks and PTB were analysed using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Term birth was most likely when CL did not decrease across both time periods. The addition of 16-19 week decrease in CL to a model, including CL at 19 weeks alone, for predicting PTB increased sensitivity from 43.2 to 56.3%, specificity from 73.2 to 77.4%, and overall accuracy from 61.7 to 70.2%. CONCLUSION: For high-risk women prescribed vaginal progesterone therapy, serial measurement of the cervix at 16 and 19 weeks improves clinical ability to predict PTB from current recommendations of 19-week measurement alone.

The effect of obesity on cost of total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To test for the association between increasing patient body mass index (BMI) and the cost of total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH). Secondary outcomes include the relationship between increasing BMI and both peri- and post-operative morbidity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients (N = 510) who underwent TLH between January 2017 and December 2018 at a single public tertiary teaching hospital. RESULTS: Morbid obesity (n = 63) was associated with significantly higher total admission costs ($19 654 vs $17 475 Australian dollars, P = 0.002), operative costs ($9447 vs $8630, P = 0.017) and total costs including readmissions ($20 476 vs $18 399, P = 0.016) when compared to patients with normal BMI (n = 103) and adjusting for age, indication for surgery, additional procedures and conversion to total abdominal hysterectomy. Costs for overweight (n = 134) and obese (n = 210) BMI groups did not differ from costs for the normal BMI group. Increased operative costs observed in the morbidly obese group, were largely driven by the time associated with set-up, transfer and anaesthetic time while surgical and recovery times were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The total cost of TLH is increased in the morbidly obese category of patients. The operative costs appear to be related to pre-operative measures such as theatre set-up and anaesthetic requirements. TLH in the obese and morbidly obese category group is not associated with increased intra-operative or post-operative complications. There may be a role for exploring improvements in managing morbidly obese patients in the pre-operative setting.

Impaired Cytokine Responses to Live Staphylococcus epidermidis in Preterm Infants Precede Gram-positive, Late-onset Sepsis.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset sepsis (LOS) with Staphylococcus epidermidis is common in preterm infants, but the immunological mechanisms underlying heightened susceptibility are poorly understood. Our aim is to characterize the ontogeny of cytokine responses to live S. epidermidis in preterm infants with and without subsequent Gram-positive LOS. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study of preterm infants (<30 weeks gestational age [GA]) with blood sampling on Days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of life. Cytokine responses in peripheral whole blood stimulated with live S. epidermidis were analyzed by 11-plex immunoassay. RESULTS: Of 129 infants (mean GA, 26.2 weeks; mean birth weight, 887g), 23 (17.8%) had confirmed LOS with Gram-positive organisms and 15 (11.6%) had clinical sepsis, with median onsets at 13 and 15 days, respectively. Blood cytokine responses to an in vitro S. epidermidis challenge were similar between infected and uninfected infants on Day 1, but diverged thereafter. Infants with subsequent LOS displayed broadly reduced S. epidermidis-induced responses from Day 7 onwards, compared to those who did not develop LOS. This pattern was observed with chemokines (interleukin [IL]-8, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α) and the regulatory cytokine IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: Cytokine responses to a live S. epidermidis challenge are impaired in infants with LOS and precede the onset of clinical illness. Quantifying pathogen-specific cytokine responses at Day 7 may identify those high-risk preterm infants at the greatest risk of LOS, and prospective replication is warranted.

Time to regain birth weight - a marker to predict the severity of retinopathy of prematurity?

BACKGROUND: Poor weight gain in the first few weeks of life has been studied as a predictor of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Our aim was to assess whether time taken to regain birthweight (BW) be used as an additional marker to identify infants with type 1 ROP. METHODS: In this retrospective study, preterm infants (< 27 weeks gestational age at birth) born during the period from 1/1/2010-31/12/2015 at a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit in Australia were included. Twenty-seven preterm infants with Type 1 ROP were identified. Controls (No ROP or ROP other than type 1) were matched with cases on gestational age at birth and BW (1:4 ratio). Data were collected from the database and medical records. RESULTS: The median (IQR) gestational age for Type 1 ROP and control groups were 24 (24-26) and 25 (24-26) weeks respectively and median (IQR) BW for Type 1 ROP and control groups were 675 (635-810) and 773 (666-884) grams respectively. Preterm infants with Type 1 ROP were more likely to be small for gestational age (SGA) (18.5% vs 3.7%, p = 0.015) and had increased weeks on oxygen therapy (median 11.9 vs 9.1, p = 0.028). Time to regain BW was longer in preterm infants with type 1 ROP than controls but did not reach statistical significance (median 9 vs 7 days, OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.00-1.17, p = 0.059) adjusted for SGA and duration of oxygen therapy. The area under the curve from the time to regain BW model with adjustment for SGA and duration of oxygen therapy was 0.73 (95% CI 0.62-0.83). CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that time to regain BW has potential to aid prediction of Type 1 ROP and this warrants further investigation in a larger prospective study.

Surgery in pregnancy: Identifying factors contributing to variation and delay in diagnosis and management of appendicitis in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Suspected appendicitis is the most common indication for surgery for non-obstetric conditions during pregnancy. Delay in management increases the risk of appendiceal perforation and pregnancy loss. Stand-alone specialty obstetric hospitals often don't have surgical teams on site. It has been suspected that this may be a factor that leads to delayed diagnosis and management of non-obstetric surgical conditions in pregnancy. AIMS: To assess the differences in time to diagnosis, imaging, surgical management and outcomes between a stand-alone tertiary obstetric hospital and a tertiary general hospital for pregnant patients presenting with suspected appendicitis who underwent an appendicectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of all women who underwent appendicectomy in pregnancy for suspected appendicitis over a four-year period. RESULTS: Women who attended the specialist hospital were later in gestation (medians 29 weeks vs 18 weeks, P = 0.004) and less likely to have imaging (84% vs 56%, P = 0.047) with no difference in the rates of confirmation of diagnosis of appendicitis using imaging. Women who presented to the specialist hospital were more likely to be managed with a laparotomy, admitted to high dependency unit, have a longer hospital stay and tended to be later in gestation. There was no difference in rates of positive appendicectomies, appendiceal perforation or management in under the recommended 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: The specialty obstetric hospital has a much higher rate of laparotomy and longer length of stay. The majority of patients presenting to both hospitals did not undergo surgery within 24 h and delay in imaging was a major contributor.

Spinal needle size and traumatic neonatal lumbar puncture: an observational study (neo-LP).

The incidence of 'traumatic' lumbar puncture (LP; CSF red cells > 500/mm) has been reported to be 35-46% in the neonatal period. A traumatic LP incurs challenges in diagnosis and management of the underlying condition and increases the risk of complications. We aimed to assess the benefits of a smaller outer diameter, larger gauge 25G needle in reducing the incidence of traumatic LPs compared with the standard 22G LP needle. This prospective observational study compared data from two consecutive epochs. Epoch 1 (Control, April 2016-October 2016), 22G needle for LP as standard practice. Epoch 2 (Intervention, November 2016-October 2017) 25G needle used for LP. Primary outcome was the incidence of traumatic LP. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted adjusting for corrected gestational age (CGA) at LP, proceduralist experience and need for ventilation as an indicator of illness. There were 240 LPs during the study period involving 361 attempts (22G, n = 228; 25G, n = 133). Median gestation at birth (P = 0.617) and CGA at LP (P = 0.163) were comparable. Multivariate analysis revealed lower incidence of traumatic LP using 25G needle (P < 0.001). Incidence of obtaining a successful CSF sample was similar between groups (P = 0.944). Proceduralist experience (P = 0.189) and neonatal illness (P = 0.801) were not significant factors.Conclusion: Our results showed that traumatic LPs were ~ 50% less common with 25G vs 22G needles while retaining a comparable success rate. Dry taps were more likely among the 25G group.What is Known:• The incidence of neonatal 'traumatic' lumbar puncture (CSF red cells > 500/mm) has been reported to be 35-46%.• A traumatic lumbar puncture incurs challenges in diagnosis and management of the underlying condition and increases the risk of complications.What is New:• Multivariate analysis revealed lower incidence of traumatic lumbar puncture using 25G needle (vs 22G).• Incidence of obtaining a successful CSF sample was similar between groups.

LLETZ make it simple: Anxiety, pain and treatment outcomes with outpatient large loop excision of the transformation zone under local anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) is the preferred treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia due to its effectiveness and ability to be performed in an outpatient setting under local anaesthesia (LA). Although current guidelines recommend that most LLETZ can be performed under LA, there is paucity in clinical data of patients' perspectives of outpatient LLETZ. AIM: Determining patient acceptability of outpatient LLETZ through assessment of anxiety and pain scores, and comparing treatment outcomes with current standards in terms of margins status, negative histology, short-term morbidity rates and follow-up attendance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted at a tertiary hospital over two years (2014-2016). Patients undergoing outpatient LLETZ completed a three-part questionnaire (before, immediately after and 4-6 weeks post-procedure). RESULTS: One hundred and five patients underwent outpatient LLETZ. Mean pain score was 2 (range 0-8). Pre-procedure anxiety was common but most resolved post-procedure. Women who did not have a prior LLETZ discussion were more likely to report moderate-severe anxiety levels pre-procedure, compared with women who did (odds ratio 3.00, 95% CI 1.11-8.09, P = 0.030). There were no differences found in pain scores when comparing pre-procedure anxiety levels, prior discussion of LLETZ or mode of anaesthesia. Specimen margins were involved in 42.9%. No association was found between positive cervical margin status and age, pre-procedure anxiety or post-procedure pain scores. Most patients were satisfied and attended follow-up appointments. CONCLUSION: Large loop excision of the transformation zone under LA is a well-tolerated procedure with high satisfaction and follow-up rates. Clinicians need to initiate early discussions regarding treatment to minimise procedure-related anxiety.

A retrospective cohort study of the impact of In Time obstetric simulation training on management of vaginal breech deliveries.

BACKGROUND: Following the Term Breech Trial, vaginal breech deliveries are rarely undertaken in Australia. Some women choose to have a breech delivery following counselling, while others will present in labour with an undiagnosed breech. Clinicians need to be skilled in vaginal breech delivery despite this being a rare clinical situation. Simulation training provides a means by which uncommon clinical situations can be practised. AIM: This study aims to determine if the introduction of a simulation-based training course is associated with an improvement in the management of vaginal breech delivery and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: Cases of term vaginal breech delivery five years prior to introduction of In Time training (2001-2005) and five years after In Time training (2007-2011) were identified in a tertiary obstetric hospital (King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth). There were 136 women identified in the pre-training (2001-2005, n = 56) and post-training (2007-2011, n = 80) groups. Case note review was undertaken to gather information. RESULTS: Apgar scores of <7 at five minutes were higher in the post-training cohort (8.8% vs 0%, P = 0.041). Arterial and venous pH readings were similar between cohorts, with a non-significant trend toward improvement in the post-training cohort. Special care nursery admissions and length of hospital stay were unchanged. The primary accoucheur was more likely to be a consultant (35.0% vs 16.4%) in the post-training cohort. Appropriate manoeuvres were more likely to be used in the post-training cohort (52.5% vs 44.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Obstetric In Time simulation training improved seniority of accoucheur and documented appropriate manoeuvres in the management of term vaginal breech delivery.

Designing meditation for doctor well-being: can 'Om' help obstetrics and gynaecology doctors?

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to measure the impact of meditation on participants' ability to regulate brain wave activity in high-stress situations, control physiological stress responses and improve subjective wellbeing. METHODS: Twelve obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) doctors meditated for 20 minutes daily for 21 days utilising a portable EEG (electroencephalogram) providing instantaneous audio feedback. Their brain activity levels and salivary cortisol were measured before and after performing three surgical procedures. Participants were interviewed about their experiences and completed self-ratings of distress (e.g. DASS-21, Depression, Anxiety and Depression Scale). Data were analysed statistically and thematically. RESULTS: (a) Measures of pre- and post-operative brain activity showed no significantly higher levels of alpha waves. (b) Pre- and post-operative salivary cortisol levels did not significantly decrease. (c) DASS-21 scores showed significant decreases in levels of anxiety and stress. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that, with biofeedback meditation, O&G doctors can learn to reduce situational stress and improve mood overall through a focussed intervention.

A before and after study of the impact on obstetric and perinatal outcomes following the introduction of an educational package of fetal heart rate monitoring education coupled with umbilical artery lactate sampling in a low resource setting labor ward in South Africa.

INTRODUCTION: Rates of cesarean section (CS) are increasing and abnormal fetal heart rate tracing and concern about consequent acidosis remain one of the most common indications for primary CS. Umbilical artery (UA) lactate sampling provides clinicians with point of care feedback on CTG interpretation and intrapartum care and may result in altered future practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 3rd March - 12th November 2014 we undertook a before and after study in Pretoria, South Africa, to determine the impact of introducing a clinical package of fetal heart rate monitoring education and prompt feedback with UA cord lactate sampling, using a hand-held meter, on maternal and perinatal outcomes. RESULTS: Nine hundred thirty-six consecutive samples were analyzed (pre n = 374 and post n = 562). There was no difference in mean lactate (4.6 mmol/L [95%CI 4.4-4.8] compared with 4.9 mmol/L [95%CI 4.7-5.1], p = 0.089). Suspected fetal compromise was reduced in the post-intervention period: 30·2% vs 22·1%, aOR 0·71, 95% CI 0·52-0·96, p = 0·027. Cesarean section rates were significantly reduced in the univariate analysis: pre- 40·3% vs post-intervention 31·6% (p = 0·007). This reduction remained significant when adjusted for previous cesarean section, primiparity, maternal HIV infection and preterm birth (aOR 0·72, 95%CI 0·54-0·98, p = 0·035). Neonatal outcomes did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The introduction of a clinical practice package of fetal heart rate monitoring education combined with routine UA cord lactate sampling has the potential to reduce the cesarean section rate without increasing adverse neonatal outcomes in a low-resource setting.

Time to delivery: Transfers for threatened preterm labour and prelabour rupture of membranes in Western Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of patients transferred to King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) with signs of labour at preterm gestations. DESIGN: A retrospective observational study of the 69 cases transferred to KEMH during 2015. SETTING: Patient transfers from all locations across Western Australia (WA) to the sole tertiary perinatal centre in Perth. PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant women within WA with threatened or actual preterm labour (PTL) or preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 23 and 32 weeks gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The occurrence of delivery during the admission and time-to-delivery as well as length of admission and association between clinical factors and time-to-delivery. RESULTS: The percentage of the study population delivered during the admission following transfer was 72.5%. Eighty-six per cent of those who delivered did so within 72 hours of transfer. The median time from transfer to delivery was 1 day. Sixty-three per cent of those who did not deliver during the admission progressed to 36 weeks gestation. Patients transferred with PPROM were less likely to deliver during the admission compared to those with uterine activity (50% versus 19.6%, P = 0.007) and nulliparas were more likely to deliver (93.5% versus 55.3%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The majority of women transferred with signs of PTL progress to delivery during the same admission with the highest risk of delivery being the first 72 hours following transfer. If the pregnancy is ongoing at 72 hours, there is a reasonable chance of progression to late preterm gestation supporting the return of woman to their place of origin for antenatal care following discharge.

The effect of a multidisciplinary obstetric emergency team training program, the In Time course, on diagnosis to delivery interval following umbilical cord prolapse - A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Cord prolapse is an uncommon obstetric emergency, with potentially fatal consequences for the baby if prompt action is not taken. Simulation training provides a means by which uncommon emergencies can be practised, with the aim of improving teamwork and clinical outcomes. AIMS: This study aimed to determine if the introduction of a simulation-based training course was associated with an improvement in the management of cord prolapse, in particular the diagnosis to delivery interval. We also aimed to investigate if an improvement in perinatal outcomes could be demonstrated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed. All cases of cord prolapse in the designated time period were identified and reviewed and a comparison of outcome measures pre- and post-training was undertaken. RESULTS: Thirty-one cases were identified in the pre-training period, and compared to 64 cases post-training. Documentation improved significantly post-training. There were non-significant improvements in use of spinal anaesthetic, and in the length of stay in the special care neonatal unit. There was a significant increase in the number of babies with Apgar scores less than seven at 5 min. There were no differences in the diagnosis to delivery interval, or in perinatal mortality rates. CONCLUSION: Obstetric emergency training was associated with improved teamwork, as evidenced by the improved documentation post-training in this study, but not with improved diagnosis to delivery interval. Long-term follow-up studies are required to ascertain whether training has an impact on longer-term paediatric outcomes, such as cerebral palsy rates.

Minimising compassion fatigue in obstetrics/gynaecology doctors: exploring an intervention for an occupational hazard.

AIM: To explore the indicators of occupational stress in a group of obstetrics and gynaecology doctors and to investigate the impact of work-focused discussion groups over a 6 month period. METHODS: The ProQOL questionnaire was used to measure the efficacy of monthly psychiatrist-led Balint style discussion groups on minimising Compassion Fatigue (consisting of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Burnout). The 25 doctors were given the given the ProQOL questionnaire to complete: (a) at the initiation of the intervention in July 2015, (b) in October 2015, and (c) in December 2015. RESULTS: Significantly decreased levels of Secondary Traumatic Stress ( p=0.008), Burnout ( p=0.010), as well as significantly increased rates of Compassion Satisfaction ( p=0.035) were recorded. Participants requested that the groups be continued. CONCLUSIONS: Psychiatrist-led work focused discussion groups were associated with improved rates of Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in this sample group.