Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS framework
Abstract Background A new wireless and beltless monitoring device utilising fetal and maternal electrocardiography (ECG) and uterine electromyography, known as ‘non-invasive fetal ECG’ (NIFECG) was registered for clinical use in Australia in 2018. The safety and reliability of NIFECG has been demons...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2021-12-01
|
| Series: | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00953-6 |
| _version_ | 1818337593293537280 |
|---|---|
| author | Deborah Fox Rebecca Coddington Vanessa Scarf Andrew Bisits Anne Lainchbury Rachael Woodworth Robyn Maude Maralyn Foureur Jane Sandall |
| author_facet | Deborah Fox Rebecca Coddington Vanessa Scarf Andrew Bisits Anne Lainchbury Rachael Woodworth Robyn Maude Maralyn Foureur Jane Sandall |
| author_sort | Deborah Fox |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background A new wireless and beltless monitoring device utilising fetal and maternal electrocardiography (ECG) and uterine electromyography, known as ‘non-invasive fetal ECG’ (NIFECG) was registered for clinical use in Australia in 2018. The safety and reliability of NIFECG has been demonstrated in controlled settings for short periods during labour. As far as we are aware, at the time our study commenced, this was globally the first trial of such a device in an authentic clinical setting for the entire duration of a woman’s labour. Methods This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using NIFECG fetal monitoring for women undergoing continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labour and birth. Women were eligible to participate in the study if they were at 36 weeks gestation or greater with a singleton pregnancy, planning to give birth vaginally and with obstetric indications as per local protocol (NSW Health Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring Guideline GL2018_025. 2018) for continuous intrapartum fetal monitoring. Written informed consent was received from participating women in antenatal clinic prior to the onset of labour. This single site clinical feasibility study took place between January and July 2020 at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney, Australia. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to inform the analysis of results using the NASSS (Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale up, Spread and Sustainability) framework, a validated tool for analysing the implementation of new health technologies into clinical settings. Results Women responded positively about the comfort and freedom of movement afforded by the NIFECG. Midwives reported that when no loss of contact occurred, the device enabled them to focus less on the technology and more on supporting women’s physical and emotional needs during labour. Midwives and obstetricians noticed the benefits for women but expressed a need for greater certainty about the reliability of the signal. Conclusion The NIFECG device enables freedom of movement and positioning for labouring women and was well received by women and the majority of clinicians. Whilst measurement of the uterine activity was reliable, there was uncertainty for clinicians in relation to loss of contact of the fetal heart rate. If this can be ameliorated the device shows potential to be used as routinely as cardiotocography (CTG) for fetal monitoring. This is the first time the NASSS framework has been used to synthesise the implementation needs of a health technology in the care of women during labour and birth. Our findings contribute new knowledge about the determinants for implementation of a complex technology in a maternity care setting. Trial registration The Universal Trial Number is reU1111-1228-9845 and the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration Number is 12619000293167p. Trial registration occurred on the 20 February, 2019. The trial protocol may be viewed at http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377027 |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T14:57:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b00bffa4eb41482086f19824c54702ad |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-5784 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T14:57:41Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-b00bffa4eb41482086f19824c54702ad2022-12-21T23:41:12ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842021-12-017111410.1186/s40814-021-00953-6Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS frameworkDeborah Fox0Rebecca Coddington1Vanessa Scarf2Andrew Bisits3Anne Lainchbury4Rachael Woodworth5Robyn Maude6Maralyn Foureur7Jane Sandall8Centre for Midwifery Child and Family Health, University of Technology SydneyCentre for Midwifery Child and Family Health, University of Technology SydneyCentre for Midwifery Child and Family Health, University of Technology SydneyRoyal Hospital for Women, NSW HealthRoyal Hospital for Women, NSW HealthCentre for Midwifery Child and Family Health, University of Technology SydneyVictoria University of WellingtonUniversity of NewcastleKing’s College LondonAbstract Background A new wireless and beltless monitoring device utilising fetal and maternal electrocardiography (ECG) and uterine electromyography, known as ‘non-invasive fetal ECG’ (NIFECG) was registered for clinical use in Australia in 2018. The safety and reliability of NIFECG has been demonstrated in controlled settings for short periods during labour. As far as we are aware, at the time our study commenced, this was globally the first trial of such a device in an authentic clinical setting for the entire duration of a woman’s labour. Methods This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using NIFECG fetal monitoring for women undergoing continuous electronic fetal monitoring during labour and birth. Women were eligible to participate in the study if they were at 36 weeks gestation or greater with a singleton pregnancy, planning to give birth vaginally and with obstetric indications as per local protocol (NSW Health Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring Guideline GL2018_025. 2018) for continuous intrapartum fetal monitoring. Written informed consent was received from participating women in antenatal clinic prior to the onset of labour. This single site clinical feasibility study took place between January and July 2020 at the Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney, Australia. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected to inform the analysis of results using the NASSS (Non-adoption, Abandonment, Scale up, Spread and Sustainability) framework, a validated tool for analysing the implementation of new health technologies into clinical settings. Results Women responded positively about the comfort and freedom of movement afforded by the NIFECG. Midwives reported that when no loss of contact occurred, the device enabled them to focus less on the technology and more on supporting women’s physical and emotional needs during labour. Midwives and obstetricians noticed the benefits for women but expressed a need for greater certainty about the reliability of the signal. Conclusion The NIFECG device enables freedom of movement and positioning for labouring women and was well received by women and the majority of clinicians. Whilst measurement of the uterine activity was reliable, there was uncertainty for clinicians in relation to loss of contact of the fetal heart rate. If this can be ameliorated the device shows potential to be used as routinely as cardiotocography (CTG) for fetal monitoring. This is the first time the NASSS framework has been used to synthesise the implementation needs of a health technology in the care of women during labour and birth. Our findings contribute new knowledge about the determinants for implementation of a complex technology in a maternity care setting. Trial registration The Universal Trial Number is reU1111-1228-9845 and the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registration Number is 12619000293167p. Trial registration occurred on the 20 February, 2019. The trial protocol may be viewed at http://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=377027https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00953-6MidwiferyObstetricsIntrapartumLabour and birthFreedom of movementFetal monitoring |
| spellingShingle | Deborah Fox Rebecca Coddington Vanessa Scarf Andrew Bisits Anne Lainchbury Rachael Woodworth Robyn Maude Maralyn Foureur Jane Sandall Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS framework Pilot and Feasibility Studies Midwifery Obstetrics Intrapartum Labour and birth Freedom of movement Fetal monitoring |
| title | Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS framework |
| title_full | Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS framework |
| title_fullStr | Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS framework |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS framework |
| title_short | Harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth: feasibility of implementing beltless non-invasive fetal ECG applying the NASSS framework |
| title_sort | harnessing technology to enable all women mobility in labour and birth feasibility of implementing beltless non invasive fetal ecg applying the nasss framework |
| topic | Midwifery Obstetrics Intrapartum Labour and birth Freedom of movement Fetal monitoring |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-021-00953-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT deborahfox harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT rebeccacoddington harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT vanessascarf harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT andrewbisits harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT annelainchbury harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT rachaelwoodworth harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT robynmaude harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT maralynfoureur harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework AT janesandall harnessingtechnologytoenableallwomenmobilityinlabourandbirthfeasibilityofimplementingbeltlessnoninvasivefetalecgapplyingthenasssframework |