title: Comparing methods to secure external fetal-monitoring devices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare two methods of securing external uterine tocodynamometer and fetal heart rate (FHR) ultrasound monitors to the abdomen.
  
  
  METHODS
  100 women were enrolled in a prospective, randomized trial comparing the adhesive patch method to the circumferential belt method for securing electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) devices during labor. Device efficacies were compared by evaluating the EFM time lost due to monitor malpositioning. Investigator-developed nurse and patient questionnaires were used to assess satisfaction with each device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 94 patients and 21 nurses were analyzed. There was no significant difference in efficacy between the two devices. There was a significant preference for the adhesive patch method in the nurses' assessment of EFM positioning, continuous assessment during epidural, and assessment during labor and birth, and in the patients' assessment of their mobility and comfort. This suggests that the adhesive patch method is equivalent to the circumferential method in its primary purpose (its ability to effectively position the EFM devices) and preferable over the circumferential method in terms of nurse and patient satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The adhesive patch method of securing fetal-monitoring devices could be welcomed as a suitable alternate to the circumferential belt method during labor.
authors.affiliation: Danielle Panelli is a Medical Student, UC San Diego School of Medicine, San Diego, CA. Frann Teplick is a Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist, UC San Diego Health System, San Diego, CA. As the corresponding author, Ms. Teplick can be reached at fteplick@ucsd.edu Mieka McCarthy is a Staff Nurse, L&D, UC San Diego Health System, San Diego, CA. Stephen Hebert is a Clinical Professor, UC San Diego Health System, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panelli
authors.forename: Frann
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teplick
authors.forename: Mieka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hebert
mesh_terms: D000269:Adhesives; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015148:Cardiotocography / Q000379:methods*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D005316:Fetal Distress / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006340:Heart Rate, Fetal / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018590:Uterine Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives