Samantha Scherman1, Jan Smith, Megan Davidson. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns, QLD, Australia. sam.scherman@powerup.com.au
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a midwifery-led model of care in Far North Queensland and the outcomes obtained in its first year of operation. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective analysis of data for all women who were booked for antenatal care with the midwifery-led unit at Mareeba District Hospital (MDH) and who gave birth during its first year of operation, from 27 June 2005 to 30 June 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of women giving birth at MDH; antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum transfers to a higher-level referral centre (Cairns Base Hospital [CBH]); and labour and delivery outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 203 women who were booked for antenatal care at MDH and gave birth in the 12-month period, 170 were categorised as low risk and suitable to give birth at MDH. Of these, 147 (86%) did give birth at MDH, while 17 women (10%) had their care transferred antenatally to CBH, and six (4%) were transferred intrapartum. Of the 33 women categorised as high risk, 22 (67%) gave birth at CBH as planned, seven (21%) had elective caesarean sections performed by a general practitioner at MDH, and four (12%) presented to MDH in labour and gave birth there with no complications. Of the 158 women who gave birth at MDH, 146 (92%) had a spontaneous vertex delivery. CONCLUSION: Outcomes for the first year of operation of the midwifery-led model of care are consistent with a viable maternity unit, with delivery outcomes and transfer rates that compare favourably with other similar units in Australia.
OBJECTIVE: To describe a midwifery-led model of care in Far North Queensland and the outcomes obtained in its first year of operation. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Prospective analysis of data for all women who were booked for antenatal care with the midwifery-led unit at Mareeba District Hospital (MDH) and who gave birth during its first year of operation, from 27 June 2005 to 30 June 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of women giving birth at MDH; antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum transfers to a higher-level referral centre (Cairns Base Hospital [CBH]); and labour and delivery outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 203 women who were booked for antenatal care at MDH and gave birth in the 12-month period, 170 were categorised as low risk and suitable to give birth at MDH. Of these, 147 (86%) did give birth at MDH, while 17 women (10%) had their care transferred antenatally to CBH, and six (4%) were transferred intrapartum. Of the 33 women categorised as high risk, 22 (67%) gave birth at CBH as planned, seven (21%) had elective caesarean sections performed by a general practitioner at MDH, and four (12%) presented to MDH in labour and gave birth there with no complications. Of the 158 women who gave birth at MDH, 146 (92%) had a spontaneous vertex delivery. CONCLUSION: Outcomes for the first year of operation of the midwifery-led model of care are consistent with a viable maternity unit, with delivery outcomes and transfer rates that compare favourably with other similar units in Australia.
Authors: Eleanor M Winpenny; Jennie Corbett; Celine Miani; Sarah King; Emma Pitchforth; Tom Ling; Edwin van Teijlingen; Ellen Nolte Journal: Int J Integr Care Date: 2016-11-24 Impact factor: 5.120