Acceptability of the fetal electrocardiographic (STAN) monitoring system by staff at a high risk maternity unit.
To assess staff acceptability of STAN monitoring system.



This was a prospective study of health care professionals involved in the first 18 months of STAN use at a high risk maternity unit.



During the study period 75% of midwives and 80% of doctors questioned felt confident when interpreting STAN cases. A total of 88% of midwives and 90% of doctors felt adequately supported in their actual clinical use of the system. Of all the obstetricians who used the STAN, 95% felt it was an acceptable alternative to fetal blood sampling. One of the main complaints was poor signal quality which occurred in 16% of cases. As many as 97% of doctors and 96% of midwives considered STAN to be an acceptable way of monitoring high risk women after its introduction.



Introduction of a new monitoring system to a high risk labor ward is possible, and acceptable to its staff. Constant practical and theoretical support and adherence to strict, easily understood guidelines is required.
Parisaei
Maryam
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University College Hospital, London, UK. mparisaei@hotmail.com
Harrington
Kevin F
KF
Erskine
Katrina J
KJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005333:Fetus; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008880:Midwifery; D010820:Physicians; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires