[Fetal pulse oximetry during risk deliveries in German clinics--a representative national survey in 81 obstetric departments].
BACKGROUND
The development of a new technique to evaluate the normal fetal acid-base balance in risk deliveries with pathological fetal heart rate has been seen with great expectations over the last years. The aim of this representative survey was to ask for the actual status of the fetal pulse oximetry in clinical use in German delivery rooms and to analyze hopes, expectations and system errors. PATIENTS RESPECTIVELY AND METHODS: Collecting data were done by a representative, time limited anonymous questionnaire in all German clinics who used Nellcors fetal pulse oximetry N-400 in measuring fetal arterial saturation in the years 1995 - 1999 during risk deliveries with non-reassuring fetal heart rate.


RESULTS
With 66,6 % of the departments participating a number of 54 clinics returned the questionnaires. An average of 4.5 times per month fetal pulse oximetry was used per clinic and in over 90 % of all cases the handling and fixation of the sensor was without problems. There is qualified staff in every clinic and regarding the satisfaction with this system an average note of 2.8 was assigned. Fetal pulse oximetry will be established in some years to replace fetal blood analysis and to reduce operative deliveries. Technical problems in cases of insufficient sensor fixation at the fetal head and with the re-sterilization of fetal sensors must be solved in the future.


CONCLUSIONS
Fetal pulse oximetry will be incorporated as the third method of monitoring the fetus during labor.
Butterwegge
M
M
Marienhospital Osnabrück, Marburg, Germany. butterwegge@firemail.de
Seelbach-Göbel
B
B
Kühnert
M
M
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001317:Austria; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010092:Oximetry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D014600:Utilization Review